Snout otter clam and oyster will become the throne over shrimp

4 years for snout otter clam and oyster

Dr. Nancy Nevejan is discussing with RIA3 scientists

Main objects of the research project are snout otter clam and oyster, being highly valued in Vietnam. According to the scientists from The Research Institute for Aquaculture 3 (referred to as RIA 3, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam), the current exploitation production of snout otter clam and oyster negligible, less than 3,000 tons per year by natural resource depletion. Snout otter clam and oyster are the new cultured object, the output from otter clam of 1,500 tons per year, over 4,000 tons per year of oyster. Selling prices of the two commercial objects are high, especially from otter clam 120,000 to 140,000 VND/kg, receiving many profits because of without food supply.

The sunshine duration of Central is about 10 months per year, clean water, high and stable temperatures are favorable conditions for seed production and cultivation of mollusks in comparison with other countries. However, culture of bivalve mollucs, including snout otter clam and oyster has not matched the advantages due to lack of quality seed sources and artificial seed production have not been adequate investment and development.

MSc. Phung Bay, Deputy Head of the Experimental Biological Department under RIA3, being co-promoter of the project said that the project will be started at RIA3 and Central in April, 2011 and lasted about four years. Apart from snout otter clam and oyster, the project will investigate some other valuable bivalve molluscs. The project will be met mollusk development orientations built based on the meeting with the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat and the General Fisheries in August 19, 2010.

Tending to export markets

Dr. Nancy Nevejan, Belgium co-promoter said that, not only in domestic markets, but mollusk products is also towards export markets. Recent demand of these products is very large and the demand exceeds supply, especially the animal’s seed is even more scarce. There will not be "good crop is devalued" if all the investment is methodical, resulting in good quality product.

Project funding for education and training of technicians and farmers account for nearly 1 / 3 the total amount, about 90,000 Euro. There will be a seed production center at Khanh Hoa province, where artificial seed production, algae growing for the larvae will be conducted ... This is run as a standard model for farmers to visit, learn and access to technology. Also, farmers will be transferred of technology on mollusk larval and algal cultures and they themselves establish the hatchery in order to supply seed for the commercial farming areas locally and nationally.

Currently, shrimp farming in the central region is facing an epidemic diseases, so bivalve mollusks will have more valuable growth prospects. Characteristics of bivalve mollusk culture is no need for food supply since they are suspended filters, helping environmental protection, ensuring aquaculture towards sustainability ...

Dr. Nancy said: the aim of this trip to Vietnam is to deeply discuss with scientists at RIA3, preparing for the final steps before the project is approved at the end of this year. Expected, the central farmers will benefit from the project started in April, 2011.

Mai Khuê