1. Developing stock enhancement techniques for two species of razor clam in the European Atlantic area. Niall A. McDonough 1 Dorotea Martínez Patíno 2 1 Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture - C-Mar, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland 2 Centro de Investigatións Mariñas – CIMA, Xunta de Galicia, NW Spain Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture

2. Outline of presentation Background information on distribution and exploitation of razor clams in the European Atlantic area Background information on distribution and exploitation of razor clams in the European Atlantic area Focus on UK and Ireland fisheries Focus on UK and Ireland fisheries Outline of SHARE project Outline of SHARE project Progress to date and proposed work on hatchery and nursery production of razor clams at CIMA (Spain) and C-Mar (N. Ireland) Progress to date and proposed work on hatchery and nursery production of razor clams at CIMA (Spain) and C-Mar (N. Ireland) Project deliverables Project deliverables Acknowledgements Acknowledgements

3. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Razor clams in European Atlantic coasts Six native species : Six native species : Ensis siliqua, Ensis arcuatus, Ensis ensis Solen marginatus, Phaxas pellucidus, Pharus legumen Ensis directus introduced – now in UK, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark Often form large sparsely populated beds in the lower intertidal and subtidal zones to depths of about 35m (Tebble, 1966) Often form large sparsely populated beds in the lower intertidal and subtidal zones to depths of about 35m (Tebble, 1966) Various levels of fishing activity throughout Atlantic coasts of Europe (Portugal, Spain, UK, Ireland) Various levels of fishing activity throughout Atlantic coasts of Europe (Portugal, Spain, UK, Ireland) Harvested by hand (intertidal collection, snorkelling, diving), standard dredge and fluidised bed dredge Harvested by hand (intertidal collection, snorkelling, diving), standard dredge and fluidised bed dredge Danger of overfishing in certain areas with lack of proper management potentially leading to classic boom/bust scenario Danger of overfishing in certain areas with lack of proper management potentially leading to classic boom/bust scenario

4. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Main European Commercial Razor clams Ensis arcuatus Solen marginatus Siphon (E. siliqua) Ensis siliqua

5. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Razor clam exploitation in UK Mainly Ensis siliqua and Ensis arcuatus in western Scotland (some E. directus on east coast of England) Mainly Ensis siliqua and Ensis arcuatus in western Scotland (some E. directus on east coast of England) Fished using jet dredge and by diving Fished using jet dredge and by diving Dredge harvesting of razors prohibited in some parts of the UK (e.g. Northern Ireland) Dredge harvesting of razors prohibited in some parts of the UK (e.g. Northern Ireland) >1,000 tonnes per annum harvested >1,000 tonnes per annum harvested Exported to Spain and Hong Kong Exported to Spain and Hong Kong Fishing continues to the present year round (diving predominantly in summer months) Fishing continues to the present year round (diving predominantly in summer months)

6. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Razor clams exploitation in UK - methods “5 th Generation” Jet Dredge Snorkel harvesting Images courtesy of Mr Martin Pyke, Seafish UK

7. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Diver harvesting razor clams in Scotland Video clip (51 seconds) Footage courtesy of Mr Martin Pyke, Seafish UK

8. Razor Clam Exploitation in Ireland Three common species form large, sparsely populated beds in the lower intertidal and sub-tidal coasts around Ireland: Three common species form large, sparsely populated beds in the lower intertidal and sub-tidal coasts around Ireland: Ensis siliqua; Ensis arcuatus; Ensis ensis Until 1997 razor clams occasionally harvested in small quantities in the intertidal by salting or digging on Irish coasts Until 1997 razor clams occasionally harvested in small quantities in the intertidal by salting or digging on Irish coasts Large bed of E. siliqua discovered in 1997 off the coast of Co. Meath at Gormanston Large bed of E. siliqua discovered in 1997 off the coast of Co. Meath at Gormanston Bed extended over 21km 2 ; all parts of it less than 10m at MLWS Bed extended over 21km 2 ; all parts of it less than 10m at MLWS Bed supported an estimated 1,500 tonnes of razor clams (Fahy et al, 1999) Bed supported an estimated 1,500 tonnes of razor clams (Fahy et al, 1999) By 1999 >1,000 tonnes fished from the bed By 1999 >1,000 tonnes fished from the bed Fishing continues to the present year round Fishing continues to the present year round Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture

9. Razor Clam Exploitation in Ireland Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Location of razor clam bed off Gormanston, Co. Meath

10. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Issues / problems affecting supply of razor clams in Europe Current dredge fishery (particularly in Republic of Ireland) unsustainable – continued heavy fishing may cause fishery may collapse Current dredge fishery (particularly in Republic of Ireland) unsustainable – continued heavy fishing may cause fishery may collapse Major environmental impacts associated with use of hydraulic dredges Major environmental impacts associated with use of hydraulic dredges Damage to shells resulting from dredge action – reduces shelf life and inhibits potential for depuration Damage to shells resulting from dredge action – reduces shelf life and inhibits potential for depuration Hatchery and nursery technology to enable restoration still in development Hatchery and nursery technology to enable restoration still in development

11. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Restoration of razor clams? Fisheries unsustainable and in danger of collapse Fisheries unsustainable and in danger of collapse Aquaculture from seed to market probably economically unfeasible Aquaculture from seed to market probably economically unfeasible Restocking the fishery? Restocking the fishery? Conservation of wild beds - restoration Conservation of wild beds - restoration

12. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture SHARE project Sustainable HARvesting of Ensis (Razor Clams) Funded by EU under Interreg IIIB Atlantic Area Programme Three year duration (March 2004 to February 2007) Co-ordinated by C-Mar (Queen’s University Belfast) Five partners: Portugal:IPIMAR (Dr. Miguel Gaspar) Spain:CIMA (Dr. Dorotea Martínez Patíno) University of La Coruna (Dr. Josefina Méndez Felpeto) Ireland:BIM (Dr. Ian Lawler / Mr. Stuart McWilliams) UK:C-Mar (Dr. Dai Roberts / Dr. Niall McDonough)

13. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture (C-Mar), Northern Ireland Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Republic of Ireland Centro de Investigaci ó ns Mariñas (CIMA), Ribidao, NW Spain Instituto de Investigação das Pescas e do Mar (IPIMAR), Olhão, Portugal Universidade de A Coruña, Galicia, NW Spain Location of SHARE partners

14. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture SHARE project Sustainable HARvesting of Ensis (Razor Clams) Aim to develop “seed to market” approach to production of razor clams in European Atlantic area whilst reducing environmental impact of fishing activity Focus on following areas: Hatchery and nursery production (for stock enhancement and/or restoration of depleted populations) Hatchery and nursery production (for stock enhancement and/or restoration of depleted populations) Population genetics Population genetics Fishing impact Fishing impact Quality indices, product development, transport to market Quality indices, product development, transport to market Sustainable fisheries strategy Sustainable fisheries strategy

15. C-Mar work to date on razor clams Initial study carried out by student, Peta Maher during 2000/2001 – report produced Initial study carried out by student, Peta Maher during 2000/2001 – report produced Aimed to conduct preliminary work on the development of hatchery and nursery techniques for E. siliqua Aimed to conduct preliminary work on the development of hatchery and nursery techniques for E. siliqua Tested a number of holding systems for broodstock conditioning (e.g. deep sediment, shallow sediment, no sediment etc.) Tested a number of holding systems for broodstock conditioning (e.g. deep sediment, shallow sediment, no sediment etc.) Monitored growth rates of larvae and settled spat Monitored growth rates of larvae and settled spat Reared small number of juveniles to 3mm shell length Reared small number of juveniles to 3mm shell length Joint report (in press) by C-Mar, Seafish (UK) and BIM (Ireland) on purification criteria for razor clams Joint report (in press) by C-Mar, Seafish (UK) and BIM (Ireland) on purification criteria for razor clams Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture

16. Liaise closely with and learn from CIMA techniques for hatchery production of two Ensis species Liaise closely with and learn from CIMA techniques for hatchery production of two Ensis species Set up broodstock conditioning system for both species Set up broodstock conditioning system for both species Primary goal to keep broodstock alive and feeding Primary goal to keep broodstock alive and feeding Secondary goal to improve condition and achieve spawning Secondary goal to improve condition and achieve spawning Rear larvae to settlement size Rear larvae to settlement size Settle larvae and achieve transfer to spat rearing system Settle larvae and achieve transfer to spat rearing system Nursery rear to 20mm (?) Nursery rear to 20mm (?) Carry out reseeding experiments at licensed foreshore sites Carry out reseeding experiments at licensed foreshore sites C-Mar plans for SHARE project Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture

17. Ensis siliqua broodstock burrowing in sediment holding / conditioning system at CIMA 200 litre tanks 100 individuals per tank 60µm mesh at outflow Open flow – 20L per hour 16°C temperature Mixed diet: Ts, Ig, Ml, Pt, Chc, Sk Photo courtesy of Dr Dorotea Martinez Patino (CIMA) Development of hatchery and nursery techniques for E. Siliqua and E. arcuatus at CIMA, NW Spain Project leader: Dr. Dorotea Martínez Patíno

18. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Larval development stages in Ensis arcuatus and Ensis siliqua Image courtesy of Dr Dorotea Martinez Patino (CIMA)

19. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Larval bins used for rearing Ensis arcuatus and Ensis siliqua larvae at CIMA facility Image courtesy of Dr Dorotea Martinez Patino (CIMA) 500L bins 5:2 larvae ml -1 density Six-strain micro-algal diet 22°C ± 1.5 water temperature Water changed every other day Growth monitored with image analysis

20. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Closed system used for rearing Ensis arcuatus and Ensis siliqua spat at CIMA facility Image courtesy of Dr Dorotea Martinez Patino (CIMA) Seed rearing in 1000L tanks 50cm diameter cylinders From 2-3mm diameter – seed moved to tanks with sand

21. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Image courtesy of Dr Dorotea Martinez Patino (CIMA) Ensis siliqua and Solen marginatus spat reared at CIMA facility Image courtesy of Dr Dorotea Martinez Patino (CIMA) When foot appears in >50% animals they are stored in cylinders with a mesh of 150µm with downwelling flow in a closed circuit system

22. Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture Experimental system developed at CIMA for holding and ongrowing razor clam juveniles in intertidal zone Image courtesy of Dr Dorotea Martinez Patino (CIMA)

23. SHARE project – Deliverables Hatchery and nursery production technology and capability in place by December 2006 (written protocols) Hatchery and nursery production technology and capability in place by December 2006 (written protocols) Restocking / restoration trials to begin in 2006 / 2007 Restocking / restoration trials to begin in 2006 / 2007 Website for SHARE project live by May 2005 Website for SHARE project live by May 2005 Report on population genetics of 3 Ensis species in European Atlantic Area by December 2006 Report on population genetics of 3 Ensis species in European Atlantic Area by December 2006 Review of European harvest methods and report on associated harvest mortality by December 2006 Review of European harvest methods and report on associated harvest mortality by December 2006 Quality impact criteria and market report by September 2005 Quality impact criteria and market report by September 2005 Centre for Marine Resources and Mariculture

24. Acknowledgements This project is supported by the European Interreg IIIB Atlantic Area Programme Thank you to the following for information, images and video footage: Dr Dorotea Martinez Patino – CIMA, Spain Mr Martin Pyke – Seafish Industry Authority, UK