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the product removes the accumulated nutrients from the ecosystem (Smaal
et al. 2019).
Bivalves are appreciated by consumers because of their delicious and nutritious
nature. Bivalves are an important source of protein. They are rich in vitamins and
essential minerals, contain low fats and are health foods in terms of omega-3 fatty
acids. On the other hand, because they contain environmental contaminants such as
mercury and biotoxins, they pose a risk to consumer health. In this respect, regular
monitoring programs are required to ensure food safety (Wijsman et al. 2019).
Marine bivalves are grouped into four major groups: mussels, oysters, clams, and
scallops. Clams and oysters are the major species groups that contribute 38% and
33%, respectively, to the global production. Scallops account for 17% and mussels
for 13% of the global production.
Bivalves are considered an important source of animal protein for humans. For a
long time, commercial fisheries for mussels, arks, oysters, scallops, cockles, venus
clams, and razor clams is done worldwide (Coan and Valentich-Scot 2006). Pearl
production has been reported to be particularly important in some countries in the
Indo-Pacific (Landman et al. 2001).
Mussels, clams, scallops, and oysters are the most traded species among the
bivalve mollusc species in the world trade, and the majority of these originate from
aquaculture. It is reported that China is the largest exporter country in 2016 and
Chile comes second. China also has a significant domestic consumption. The
European Union is the largest market for bivalves. Demand for bivalves has been
reported to increase in recent years (FAO 2018).
It is reported that the total market value of the marine bivalve is approximately
US $ 23 billion annually and its real economic value is higher due to secondary
products and services such as packaging, transport, production of finished products
and retail sales. Bivalve aquaculture and wild catch have shown a steady increase
from 5 to 16 million tons per year over the period 1995–2015. Bivalve aquaculture
nowadays dominates over wild catch almost ninefold, and this figure still increases.
Marine bivalves account for about 14% of the global marine production (tonnes) in
this period. Most of the marine bivalve production (89%) comes from aquaculture,
with a total economic value of 20.6 billion US$ per year. Only 11% of the marine
bivalve production comes from the wild fishery. Bivalve production in Asia is
reported to increase year by year. Clams and oysters constitute a significant part of
this increase. In 2015, scallop and mussel production was reported as 2.3 and 1.1
tons, respectively. The largest producer in Asia is shown as China. China is followed
by Japan, Korea, and Thailand. This increase in production in China is attributed to
the increase in demand and living standards. Japan is the leading producer of wild
catching in Asia (Wijsman et al. 2019).
Bivalve mollusc fishing is done using active or passive catching tools. As an
active catching tool, it is usually used bottom dredging tools working with the help
of man or boat power. Passive fishing is performed by collecting from the natural
environment via divers. In shore areas catching bivalve, active bottom dredging
fishing gears (such as mechanical and hydraulic dredges) (especially at depths of
2–20 m) adversely affect benthic ecosystems and cause serious damage to creatures
3 Molluscan Shellfish
the product removes the accumulated nutrients from the ecosystem (Smaal
et al. 2019).
Bivalves are appreciated by consumers because of their delicious and nutritious
nature. Bivalves are an important source of protein. They are rich in vitamins and
essential minerals, contain low fats and are health foods in terms of omega-3 fatty
acids. On the other hand, because they contain environmental contaminants such as
mercury and biotoxins, they pose a risk to consumer health. In this respect, regular
monitoring programs are required to ensure food safety (Wijsman et al. 2019).
Marine bivalves are grouped into four major groups: mussels, oysters, clams, and
scallops. Clams and oysters are the major species groups that contribute 38% and
33%, respectively, to the global production. Scallops account for 17% and mussels
for 13% of the global production.
Bivalves are considered an important source of animal protein for humans. For a
long time, commercial fisheries for mussels, arks, oysters, scallops, cockles, venus
clams, and razor clams is done worldwide (Coan and Valentich-Scot 2006). Pearl
production has been reported to be particularly important in some countries in the
Indo-Pacific (Landman et al. 2001).
Mussels, clams, scallops, and oysters are the most traded species among the
bivalve mollusc species in the world trade, and the majority of these originate from
aquaculture. It is reported that China is the largest exporter country in 2016 and
Chile comes second. China also has a significant domestic consumption. The
European Union is the largest market for bivalves. Demand for bivalves has been
reported to increase in recent years (FAO 2018).
It is reported that the total market value of the marine bivalve is approximately
US $ 23 billion annually and its real economic value is higher due to secondary
products and services such as packaging, transport, production of finished products
and retail sales. Bivalve aquaculture and wild catch have shown a steady increase
from 5 to 16 million tons per year over the period 1995–2015. Bivalve aquaculture
nowadays dominates over wild catch almost ninefold, and this figure still increases.
Marine bivalves account for about 14% of the global marine production (tonnes) in
this period. Most of the marine bivalve production (89%) comes from aquaculture,
with a total economic value of 20.6 billion US$ per year. Only 11% of the marine
bivalve production comes from the wild fishery. Bivalve production in Asia is
reported to increase year by year. Clams and oysters constitute a significant part of
this increase. In 2015, scallop and mussel production was reported as 2.3 and 1.1
tons, respectively. The largest producer in Asia is shown as China. China is followed
by Japan, Korea, and Thailand. This increase in production in China is attributed to
the increase in demand and living standards. Japan is the leading producer of wild
catching in Asia (Wijsman et al. 2019).
Bivalve mollusc fishing is done using active or passive catching tools. As an
active catching tool, it is usually used bottom dredging tools working with the help
of man or boat power. Passive fishing is performed by collecting from the natural
environment via divers. In shore areas catching bivalve, active bottom dredging
fishing gears (such as mechanical and hydraulic dredges) (especially at depths of
2–20 m) adversely affect benthic ecosystems and cause serious damage to creatures
3 Molluscan Shellfish