Bivalve mollusks (oysters, mussels, clams, etc.) constitute an important part of world fisheries production and in recent years they have experienced a very significant upward growth. In some countries, their consumption is due to the fact that they are considered a healthy part of their diet and for this reason, today we want to talk to you in Ecoplas, about the cultivation of oysters and clams.
The cultivation of oysters and clams through aquaculture is an alternative to natural exploitation that helps us to satisfy this high demand for mollusks. It also plays a significant role in the socioeconomic development of coastal areas and helps to preserve the maritime-fluvial and fishing culture.
One of the benefits of oyster and clam cultivation is that they are herbivorous animals so they do not need more than seaweed to feed and require minimal handling. However, the methods and technologies applied to cultivation have evolved in order to meet the growing demand and make it economically attractive to investors in these farms.
But how are they grown?
Both the oyster and the clam can be wild or farmed. For the cultivation of oysters and clams, the long-line system is being used, consisting of the laying of large submerged production lines, suitable for areas with high currents and even in the open sea.
In this long-line system, fattening lanterns or fattening baskets are attached to both oyster and clam, designed with high-quality and robust materials. You can place as many plates or baskets as necessary and in these plates the bivalve seeds are placed, which remain there until they reach the required growth.
One of the countries where oyster and clam farming has grown exponentially is France, where the aquaculture sector is mainly focused on domestic consumption.
The main weakness of the French aquaculture sector is the fact that it is focused on a single species: the Japanese oyster, which limits its growth potential and is susceptible to the effects of climate change and water quality. Although, France has important assets of importance regarding the use of rivers and coastal areas:
- High degree of control in the production process from farm to consumer. This increase in the level of production control is being carried out to reduce the levels of food waste, the use of treatments and the environmental impact and thus be in the best ranges of sustainability.
- Great technological advances in terrestrial systems such as: water quality control systems, disease resistance, product traceability, etc.
- A high educational level in aquatic sciences with access to research facilities.
Producers of oysters and clams know that their image is associated with the production systems that are used and for this reason they are constantly investigating to continue taking that approach and guaranteeing a public image of a natural product raised under regulated but natural conditions.