48 JUNE 2019 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Geoduck clams are the largest of all deep-burrowing saltwater bivalves. This kind of giant clam is found in a limited number of countries, including the USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Japan, Korea, Italy, Spain and New Zealand (Leyva-Valencia et al. 2015, Shamshak and King 2015). These clams are highly esteemed in Asian seafood markets due to their sweet taste and crunchy texture (Fig. 1). Markets for geoduck are mainly in China (including Hong Kong) and Taiwan, but also in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Portugal, Canada and the USA (Cap Log Group 2013). About 90 percent of the geoduck harvested in North America are exported live to Asia, where they can sell for as much as US$150/lb (Shamshak and King 2015). The market in Asia is largely a high-end restaurant market. They are served in a fondue-style hot pot in China, raw or cooked at sushi restaurants in Japan and in soups and stews in Korea. The demand for geoduck is expected to remain strong as the Asian economy expands. Geoduck comes at a high price, the sought-after delicacy is sold in Canada and US markets for around US$19/lb (Fig. 2). Due to their high value and demand, the geoduck fishery and Geoduck Aquaculture Development in North America: How Far Along Are We? A. Kalam Azad and R. Scott McKinley aquaculture have thus become lucrative industries in many parts of the world. Currently about ten species are found in worldwide temperate to subtropical seas and five of these are the subject of commercial fishing activities. Research on fisheries management and aquaculture development for this animal is being undertaken in various locations (Table 1). This article summarizes the available information on geoduck aquaculture from published technical reports, articles, and experience gained during collaborative work with the shellfish industries of North America. Geoduck Fisheries “Geoduck” comes from the Native American word “gooeyduck” meaning “dig deep.” The clam has been harvested recreationally in the Pacific Northwest coast for decades, but commercial harvest did not begin until 1970. Commercial fisheries of the Pacific geoduck Panopea generosa have operated in Washington State, US and British Columbia (BC), Canada since 1970 (Goodwin and Pease 1989, DFO 17). The southeast TABLE 1. Recognized geoduck Panopea species in the world. Scientific name Common/Local name Distribution Research Panopea generosa Pacific geoduck Southern Alaska to Mexico Fisheries and aquaculture Panopea globosa Cortes geoduck Gulf of California, Mexico Fisheries and aquaculture Panopea bitruncata Geoduck Northern Carolina to the - Gulf of Mexico Panopea abbrevieta Geoduck Southwestern Argentina Fisheries Panopea zelandica King clam New Zealand Fisheries and aquaculture Panopea smithae King clam New Zealand - Panopea australis Geoduck/King clam Southern and Eastern Australia - Panopea japonica Mirugai Japan Sea Aquaculture and fisheries Panopea glycimeris Geoduck Northwestern Spain; - Mediterranean Sea to South Africa Sources: Leyva-Valencia et al. 2015, Shamshak and King 2015. FIGURE 1. The Pacific geoduck clam Panopea generosa.
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