Operations Management of Soft Shell Clam Growing at a Commercial Scale

Summary:
The objective of this project is to develop and test a system of pre-cultivation of small Soft Shell clams (4-12 mm), since in the fall they have not yet reached their refuge size which results in losses that are often significant. Bins of 1.22 m x 2.44 m were constructed and filled with sanding with a density of 5,600 clams/m². Three bins were put in the water in early July. Unfortunately, the waves generated by Hurricane Danny damaged them by emptying all the contents of the bins. After several technical modifications, a second test was done in September. Although the bins performed much better, it was not sufficient to withstand the autumn storms. At the end of October, the bins were again emptied of their contents. These tests showed clearly that the bins suspended in the water column were not well adapted to the local weather conditions. With financing from the provincial government, SODIM and UQAR, a third test was launched in 2010 with modified bins to facilitate their handling. The results showed that the technique had improved since clam growth achieved the objective of 1.06 mm/week.

Project Lead : Société de développement de l’industrie maricole inc. (SODIM)

Total Project Cost: $43,480

DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $22,000

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Société de développement de l’industrie maricole inc. (SODIM)
• Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ)
• Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER) & Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR)

For more information about this project, please contact the regional coordinator.

Quebec Region: Pierre.Lauzier@dfo-mpo.gc.ca