Growth and survival rates of carpet shell clam (Tapes decussatus Linnaeus, 1758) using various culture methods in Sufa (Homa) Lagoon, Izmir, Turkey

The carpet shell clam (Tapes decussatus Linnaeus, 1758) is a candidate species for aquaculture development in Turkish waters. Our study aimed to assess the efficiency of three different methods (i.e., net, box and fenced ground) to maximize clam production. Two different net materials (hard plastic net and polyamide net) were tested in the net method trials. Conducted over 1 year between October 2001 and October 2002, an initial calibrated clam population, characterized by a 26.25 ± 0.035 mm shell length and 3.85 ± 0.06 g total wet weight was sampled on a monthly basis to carry out the experiments. By the end of the rearing cycle, clams reached 34.13 ± 0.38 mm and 9.09 ± 0.27 g in shell length and total wet weight, respectively. Significant differences in shell length and total wet weight among culture methods (P < 0.05) were reported. Both maximum growth and total wet weight, as well as survival rate (64%) were obtained using the hard plastic net method. Those overall results were likely due to both limited algae accumulation and crab predation when using hard plastic net. Therefore, this method appears the most suitable to develop further larger experimental clam aquaculture trials. Additional studies required to develop clam culture in Turkish waters are discussed.