Cultivation of bivalve molluscs in Venezuela: diversity, potential and infrastructure for seed production

Abstract:

Aquaculture has become one of the most profitable agricultural businesses in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela with a global yearly production exceeding 14 000 tonnes. Bivalve culture is considered a potential industry for mass production of marine products, particularly in the northeastern region where upwelling promotes a high primary production in coastal waters. Aquaculture in the country began in the late 1930s following the introduction of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in the Andes. Marine shrimp culture started in 1987 and since then has grown to more than 30 businesses with a production close to 10 500 tonnes in 2009. Bivalve aquaculture began in the 1970s in the eastern region of the country with the involvement of few companies and a production estimated around 200–300 tonnes of oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae and Crassostrea virginica) and the South American rock mussel (Perna perna). This latter subsector of the industry has been facing diverse problems related to seed availability, red tides and market issues. Numerous other molluscan species have been identified as potential candidates for aquaculture. The green mussel, Perna viridis, and the pearl oysters, Pteria colymbus and Pinctada imbricata (both for meat and pearl production) show acceptable natural

Año de publicación:

2011

Keywords:

Fuente:

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