Giant Clam Nurseries Project.
What are Giant Clams ?
These bottom-dwelling behemoths are the largest mollusks on Earth, capable of reaching 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length and weighing more than 500 pounds (227 kg).
They live in the warm waters of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans and have an average lifespan in the wild of 100 years or more.
Giant clams achieve their enormous proportions by consuming the sugars and proteins produced by the billions of algae that live in their tissues.
In exchange, they offer the algae a safe home and regular access to sunlight for photosynthesis, basking by day below the water's surface with their fluted shells open and their multi-colored mantles exposed.
They also use a siphon to draw in water to filter and consume passing plankton.
Giant Clam populations are diminishing quickly and they have become extinct in many areas where they were once common. The IUCN lists the giant clams as vulnerable.
There is concern among conservationists about whether those who use the species as a source of livelihood are overexploiting it.
The numbers in the wild have been greatly reduced by extensive harvesting for food and the aquarium trade.
It is with this in mind we propose to work on Giant Clam Nursery projects.
These bottom-dwelling behemoths are the largest mollusks on Earth, capable of reaching 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length and weighing more than 500 pounds (227 kg).
They live in the warm waters of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans and have an average lifespan in the wild of 100 years or more.
Giant clams achieve their enormous proportions by consuming the sugars and proteins produced by the billions of algae that live in their tissues.
In exchange, they offer the algae a safe home and regular access to sunlight for photosynthesis, basking by day below the water's surface with their fluted shells open and their multi-colored mantles exposed.
They also use a siphon to draw in water to filter and consume passing plankton.
Giant Clam populations are diminishing quickly and they have become extinct in many areas where they were once common. The IUCN lists the giant clams as vulnerable.
There is concern among conservationists about whether those who use the species as a source of livelihood are overexploiting it.
The numbers in the wild have been greatly reduced by extensive harvesting for food and the aquarium trade.
It is with this in mind we propose to work on Giant Clam Nursery projects.
The Giant Clam Farm
One of our projects will be to set up and farm a sustainable Giant Clam Farm.
Using methods already widely in use we hope to be able to cultivate and then sell Giant Clams to the tropical fish markets, food markets and gifts market place.
Giant clams are internationally protected by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) agreement, meaning that globally, only hatchery-grown clams or clams from managed fisheries can be sold.
Broodstock (parent) clams are spawned and the juveniles are nurtured in the hatchery for about 10 days.
They are then transferred to the growing tanks for about 8 months until they are big enough to go to the grow out area where the clams are in cages to ensure that they are safe from predators.
Clams are kept clean and are periodically thinned to provide ideal conditions for healthy growth.
After less than a year the clams are ready for export to the international aquarium market and food markets.
Some of the fully grown clams will also be put amongst our reefs to encourage the natural cycle and repopulate the area with wild clams.
The farms help bring communities together and give an income to local people.
We hope to empower communities to manage and conserve their customary land and sea resources and build a trusting relationship with our NGO.
Using methods already widely in use we hope to be able to cultivate and then sell Giant Clams to the tropical fish markets, food markets and gifts market place.
Giant clams are internationally protected by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) agreement, meaning that globally, only hatchery-grown clams or clams from managed fisheries can be sold.
Broodstock (parent) clams are spawned and the juveniles are nurtured in the hatchery for about 10 days.
They are then transferred to the growing tanks for about 8 months until they are big enough to go to the grow out area where the clams are in cages to ensure that they are safe from predators.
Clams are kept clean and are periodically thinned to provide ideal conditions for healthy growth.
After less than a year the clams are ready for export to the international aquarium market and food markets.
Some of the fully grown clams will also be put amongst our reefs to encourage the natural cycle and repopulate the area with wild clams.
The farms help bring communities together and give an income to local people.
We hope to empower communities to manage and conserve their customary land and sea resources and build a trusting relationship with our NGO.
Please Help Us !
With Your Help We Can Save Our Oceans & Help & Support Our Local Community
Thank You From
The Team at DT
Thank You From
The Team at DT