Inexpensive Feeds as Dietary Supplements to Accelerate Growth of Juvenile Surf Clams (Spisula solidissima)
Date
2010-09-02
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Abstract
Increased demand for live and processed clams has been accompanied by a
decreased supply of wild clams. The surf clam, Spisula solidissima, was
utilized extensively for processed clam products until overfishing reduced
the surf clam harvest. Surf clams can be produced in one growing season,
for use in markets currently supplied by slower growing hard or soft-shell
clams. The purpose of this research project was to determine if inexpensive
supplements could be used to cost-effectively accelerate clam growth in a
commercial-scale open system. Addition of rice starch to the natural algal
supply resulted in significant increases in clam weight and length. Increased
value of larger clams was not great enough, however, to offset increased
labor and feed costs. The results of this study will not allow immediate
commercialization of the supplementation process. Rather, these results may
encourage further research with supplemental feeds. Before commercialization
can take place, better diets must be developed and unit labor costs must be
reduced. Cost-effective supplemental feeding could provide surf clam seed
for grow-out to supply markets for live and processed clam products.
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Spisula