SBIR-STTR Award

Taylor Resources is proposing experiments to promote commercialization of geoduck clam (Panopea generosa) clam aquaculture. Presently all of Taylor's commercial operations are based on the aquaculture of oysters, Manila clams and mussels. The firm maintains a state-of-the-art hatchery and nursery complex to supply seed to over 3,400 ha of intertidal grow-out beds. The geoduck is the largest clam on the West Coast U.S. It is presently in great demand and sells for as high as $10 per pound wholesale. Initial hatchery and pilot-scale planting trials by Taylor Resources indicate that commercial farming can proceed once critical rearing and production issues are resolved. These are: 1) control broodstock maturation and conditioning; 2) improve larval feed and rates of feed; 3) increase survival, especially of larvae and post-set juveniles; 4) improve growth and survival using in-hatchery nursery system, and 5) gather information on optimal farming and predator exclusion methods. Phase I will address these issues with a set of controlled laboratory and field experiments. Experiments proposed include feeding trials using a lipid-rich heterotrophic algae; evaluation of the interaction between culture temperature and other factors on gametogenesis and duration of the larval period; histopathological screening of broodstock, larvae and post-set juveniles; and tests of sand and screen- based nursery systems and procedures/timing for optimal out-planting of geoduck seed.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
: The proposed research will benefit the commercial shellfish operations of Taylor Resources and other shellfish farmers in the region. Existing farming technology is very limited to date and all geoduck sold come from wild harvest of natural populations. Incremental improvements in any of the objectives involving larval, nursery or grow-out stages of farming geoduck could produce significant returns. The project offers increased capability for production of a high value food type having high demand and food value. This work would also facilitate later research on harvest and live-holding methods, and longer-term genetic studies of geoduck broodstock.

Taylor Resources is proposing Phase II experiments to continue the process of commercialization of geoduck clam, Panope abrupta aquaculture. Presently, all of Taylor's commercial operations are based on the culture of oysters, Manila clams and mussels. The firm maintains a state-of-the-art hatchery and nursery complex to supply seed to over 3400 ha of intertidal grow out beds. The geoduck is the largest burrowing clam in the world. It remains in great demand as it sells for as high as $12-12 per pound. Phase I research considered a variety of the technical aspects of rearing geoduck in the hatchery as larvae and as seed, and on grow out beds planted in specialized PVC pipe enclosures. Phase I results demonstrated that geoduck brood stock can be successfully conditioned to spawn and the larvae reared under a variety of experimental conditions including rearing density, and different nutritional levels. Geoduck larvae and seed are susceptible to bacterial contamination under hatchery conditions, but if this can be controlled through routine hygiene and other methods including the use of bacteria through competitive exclusion of pathogenic bacteria, high density larval culture of geoducks should be feasible. The focus of Phase II research will consider these factors as well as the nutritional requirements of brood stock and larvae for optimal production of seed from the hatchery facility. Field SBIR II research will focus on improving field survivorship of seed through studies on seed condition, and planting density and location, as well as undertake a comprehensive study of environmental factors suspected of regulating juvenile survivorship in large scale experimental grow out plots.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
: The proposed Phase II research will benefit the commercial shellfish operations of Taylor Resources and other shellfish farmers in the region by helping to implement information and technology gained in Phase I research. Existing farming technology is very limited to date as most geoduck sold currently comes from wild harvest of natural populations. Incremental improvements in any of the objectives involving brood stock, larval, nursery or grow out stages a farming geoduck could produce significant returns. The project offers increased capability for production of a high value food having high demand. This work will also facilitate later research on live holding technology, and longer term breeding studies as selection for increased rate of growth.