Improving Productivity through Mechanization and Automation of Clam Spat Sorting Operations

Summary:
For nearly fifteen years, many efforts have been made to develop a profitable and competitive clam cultivation industry in Quebec. Sorting of clam spat remains one of the main technological barriers slowing the emerging clam cultivation industry in Quebec. This project aims to provide the industry with an effective and affordable sorting design which will significantly reduce the costs of this operation. After a critical analysis of the current process of manual sorting and testing prior to designing a sorter, the task force proceeded to design and build a prototype. This was tested in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine during the 2010 summer season. Although early tests have been quite satisfactory (i.e., handling of the harvester in the field and adapting the venturi system), they nonetheless highlighted several points that could be improved. However, with a construction cost of around $11,000, the industry could quickly recover this investment because of the considerably reduced labour needed for these spat growing operations.

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

Total Project Cost: $45,033

DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $15,718

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Société de développement de l’industrie maricole inc. (SODIM)
• Industry
• Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER)

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

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