Enhancing Seed Harvest of Wild Manila Clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) through Fiberglass Mesh Installation in the Tidal Flat of Jugyo, West Coast of Korea.

Lee, H.-J.; Jeung, H.-D.; Song, J.-H.; Hur, Y.B., and Hong, H.-K., 2024. Enhancing seed harvest of wild Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) through fiberglass mesh installation in the tidal flat of Jugyo, west coast of Korea. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(3), 613–616. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. The Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum (Bivalvia: Veneridae), is a commercially important species cultivated in tidal flats along the coasts of Korea. However, the local clam industries on the west coast face challenges due to a shortage of seed clams, primarily relying on catching wild juveniles or importing seeds from China. This study aimed to enhance the natural seed harvest of Manila clams by installing fiberglass mesh on the tidal flats of Jugyo, Korea. Fiberglass mesh was installed at three different stations on the tidal flats in October 2017 and clam density was monitored monthly from November 2017 to January 2018. Sediment samples were collected at each station three times using stainless steel quad-rats, and clams were categorized by size (<5 mm, 5–10 mm, 10–20 mm, 20–30 mm, and >30 mm). The results revealed spatial and temporal variations in clam density, with higher concentrations observed closer to the tidal waterline. Clam size distribution also differed across stations, with smaller clams dominating certain areas. The mesh installation in November 2017 did not significantly affect clam density compared with the control group. However, clam density substantially increased in December 2017 and January 2018 because of mesh installation, especially at the lowest station. These findings suggest that installing fiberglass mesh can enhance the survival of newly settled Manila clams, providing a potential solution to the seed shortage the local clam industries face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]