Jeonnam Marine Fisheries Science Institute Successfully Induces Maturation of Rockfish and Clams Using Temperature Control Method

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Jeonnam Provincial Marine Fisheries Science Institute announced on the 29th that it has succeeded in temperature-controlled maturation induction of seed clams as part of the artificial seed aquaculture technology development project for Ureok clams.

Ureok clams mainly inhabit the southern coast of Korea but are difficult to harvest, making them a high-end ingredient, commonly consumed as boiled or sushi.

The maturation induction technology for Ureok clams involves artificial temperature management of seed clams to promote seed production in February to March. This shortens the production period by 1 to 2 months compared to natural seed clams.

Early-produced seeds resulting from this method grow significantly better than natural ones, showing strong environmental adaptability upon release and shortening the growth period to maturity, which is expected to contribute to improved aquaculture productivity.

Additionally, this can be linked with the high-density seed production technology already developed by Jeonnam Marine Fisheries Science Institute in 2021, enhancing aquaculture technology research and resource creation effects.

Since 2020, Jeonnam Provincial Marine Fisheries Science Institute has conducted research on Ureok clam seed production, successfully securing high-density seed production (1.4 million seeds of 3.7mm size produced in a 9.25㎡ bottom area) and broodstock maturation induction technology, completing the acquisition of seed production-related technologies.

Going forward, experiments on substrate immersion and density will be conducted to develop seed rearing technologies, with a focus on securing complete aquaculture technology.

Lee Kyung-woo, Director of the Future Fisheries Research Institute at Jeonnam Provincial Marine Fisheries Science Institute, stated, “Based on the achievements so far, we plan to develop complete aquaculture technology for burrowing shellfish whose production has sharply declined and do our best to disseminate it.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.