To address the alarming decline in short neck clam (Paphia malabarica) populations, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has initiated a stock enhancement programme in Ashtamudi Lake.
About CMFRI’s Stock Enhancement Programme
- Objective: To replenish the declining Paphia malabarica population and ensure sustainable fisheries in Ashtamudi Lake.
- Initiative: Release of 3 million short neck clam seeds produced using CMFRI’s captive breeding technology.
- Project Framework: Part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) Blue Growth Project.
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About Paphia malabarica
- Paphia malabarica is a bivalve mollusk that serves as a major fishery resource in India.
- It is commonly known as the short neck clam and is India’s first Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified fishery.
Uses of Paphia malabarica
- Human Consumption: A popular delicacy, especially in Kerala, where it is extensively consumed.
- Shrimp Feeds: In states like Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and Andhra Pradesh, short neck clams are used as a component in shrimp feeds.
- Industrial Applications: Clam shells are utilized in the manufacture of cement, calcium carbide, sand-lime, and bricks.
- Export Significance : Short neck clams, along with Meretrix meretrix (yellow clam), contribute to 80–90% of the total clam exports from India.
- The species has significant international demand, boosting export revenues for local communities.
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification
- The MSC is an international non-profit organization promoting sustainable seafood markets through certification and eco-labelling.
- In 2014, the short neck clam fishery in Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala, became the first Indian fishery and only the third in Asia to receive the MSC certification.
- The certification was achieved through collaborative efforts by CMFRI, WWF, the State Fisheries Department, and the local fishing community.
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Threats to Paphia Malabarica
- Environmental Pollution: Pollution in backwater ecosystems has adversely impacted clam habitats.
- Invasive Species: Non-native species like the Charru mussel (native to South America) have replaced native species such as the Asian green mussels and edible oysters in Ashtamudi Lake.
- Climate Change: Altered salinity levels and rising water temperatures have disrupted the natural balance, further threatening the clam population.
- Challenges and Current Status: Over the years, the population of short-neck clams in Ashtamudi Lake has declined drastically.
- Annual catches have dropped from approximately 10,000 tonnes in the early 1990s to below 1,000 tonnes in recent years.
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Ashtamudi Lake
- Location and Geography: Ashtamudi Lake is a brackish water lake situated in the Kollam district of Kerala, India.
- It is the second-largest lake in Kerala after Vembanad Lake.
- It is fed by the Kallada River and connects to the Arabian Sea through the Neendakara estuary.
- Designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2002.
- Conservation and Fisheries: The lake is rich in mangrove species, contributing to its ecological importance.
- It is home to two endangered species Syzygium travancoricum and Calamus rotang.
- Conservation areas include Bishop Thuruthu, designated as a clam sanctuary, and Valam Ansil Thuruth.
- Ecological and Economic Role: Ashtamudi Lake plays a significant role in supporting biodiversity and the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen.
- The lake is an export hub for clam products, vital for the economic sustainability of local communities.
Additional Reading: Ashtamudi Lake
December 18, 2024
