This 10-minute video shows how to make and sell giant clam (Tridacna) shellcraft products from farm-raised specimens. It was shot at Palau’s Micronesian Mariculture Demonstration Center (MMDC) in 1995.
All of the living clams and clam shells shown in the video were spawned and raised in captivity between 1979 and 1995.
The shellcraft work featured here was part of a larger program involving giant clam mariculture, research, hatchery and nursery production, staff training, regional stock enhancement, conservation and export of farmed clam products. This work was funded primarily by the US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS/NOAA), the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program and the Republic of Palau’s Ministry of Resources and Development.
More information on the program, including a list of publications produced, can be found by clicking here: http://ipsf.com/
Funding to produce this video and an accompanying manual was provided by the Oceanic Institute of Hawaii, through its Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture (CTSA).
Thanks to Kevin Davidson for video editing and to David Idip, Toshiro Paulis, Noah Idechong, Frank Perron, Theo Isamu, Uro Ikesakes, Asap Bukurrow, Lawrence Sumor, Setts Mongami, Jay Oruetamor, Don Hanser, Tom Watson and the entire MMDC staff for assistance. Thanks to Kevan Main and the CTSA staff for assistance with publication of the manual and video.
Duration : 0:9:48
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Please read the ” …
Please read the “more info” section:) This harvesting and shell processing was done only after we had produced over 100 tons of captive-bred clams! All of these are farmed clams produced on a sustainable basis; they are not wild specimens. This was done in conjunction with an extensive local and regional reef restocking program, all well documented and published.
This is so …
This is so depressing to a reef hobbyist. I am against this completely but they have to do this or idiot tourist will get them from the ocean so what u gonna do.
hi man , can we …
hi man , can we arrange some shippment to europe ? I am interesting in live clams from reef tanks.
I really enjoyed …
I really enjoyed this video even if it took me a while to find it. I have always loved the beauty of reefs and clams.
Yes, I shot the …
Yes, I shot the footage and narrated it. I lived in Palau for 15 years and ran the giant clam hatchery there until 1995.
Are you the …
Are you the narrator here? Awesome!