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Clam Seed Buying, Transporting, and Handling Tips
(27 KB)
Requirements:
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Seed buyers and
sellers must possess a current Aquaculture Certificate, or AQ card, obtained
from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of
Aquaculture. This allows both to possess and transport clams below minimum
size.
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Clams shipped
from a supplier must be in distinct containers identified by their AQ number.
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Seed must
originate from brood stock obtained from Florida waters. The buyer must obtain
documentation from the supplier stating the source of the stocks.
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Seed must be
free of diseases that may threaten local shellfish populations. Again, buyer
must obtain documentation from the in-state supplier stating such. Seed
purchased from an out-of-state supplier must be certified disease-free,
specifically for QPX, by a recognized veterinarian.
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A record of
these documents as a well as transactions (for example, invoices) must be
maintained for a period of two years.
For further information on these requirements, please review the
Best Management Practices for Marine Bivalves. These are available on-line at
the Division’s web site:
www.floridafquaculture.com.
Buying:
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Know your seed
supplier. Ask them questions about how to best handle their seed during
transportation.
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Shop around.
Check the Annual Clam Seed Suppliers List, compiled by the Shellfish
Aquaculture Extension Program, for hatchery and nursery operations providing
seed to Florida growers.
Transporting:
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Seed can be
transported “out of water” without adverse effects for a period of 24 hours.
This includes the time seed has been sieved, counted and packed by the
supplier.
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Seed must be
transported cool and moist. Cool means a temperature of around 65-70oF.
Moist means the seed has been wrapped in an absorptive-type material that
maintains moisture, but is porous.
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If the buyer
receives seed that is warm and dry, the seed could be stressed and die.
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Hold seed in an
insulated cooler with gel packs, or frozen water jugs, during transportation.
Do not let gel packs get in direct contact with the seed. It is advisable to
wrap them in newspaper.
Handling:
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Check weather
conditions before arranging to pick up or receive seed. Make sure you can get
to the lease site to plant as soon as possible. Remember do not keep seed out
of the water beyond 24 hours.
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Buyers should
check the seed upon arrival to be sure it is alive. Clams that are gapping and
do not shut when tapped will eventually die. There should be no foul odor.
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Do not place
seed in direct sunlight. Provide shading at all times, but do not use a
nonporous material (for example, a vinyl tarp does not “breath” and traps
heat).
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Salinity of the
receiving water should be within 5 ppt of the water from which the seed were
obtained. Salinity values at selected lease areas in the state can be viewed
at www.FloridaAquaculture.com
(click on Weather/Water Quality in the left-hand menu). If the salinity
difference is greater than 5 ppt, seed must either be acclimated prior to
planting or the buyer should wait until planting conditions are more
favorable. Another option is to check with other suppliers in different
locations.
For additional information on clam seed sizes and counts for various sieves
and for stocking information, click on the
full document PDF.
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