Indian bivalves and gastropods: strategies for production and market development

Abstract

Techno-ec~nomically viable bivalve culture systems have been evolved and are under use in several countries. The tremendous potential of cultured shellfish resources to food supply and rural employment is widely claimed. In India, rapid strides have been made on culturing clams mussels. edible oysters, windowpane oysters and pearl oysters. However. these aquaculture technologies have not been undertaken on commercial lines due to constraints like shortage of seed, lack of demand. lack of awareness about the potential ot these resources in alleviating poverty and malnutrition, end in providing employment and increasing income. More importantly, the role and efficiency of various fish marketing systems in India need to be studied before encouraging production on a massive scale. Therefore, identification of constraints to marketing of these cultured shellfish, and evolving and implementing suitable strategies to market them successfully merit the attention of policy makers.