Abundance, Distribution and Culture Potentials of Three Commercially Important Mollusks Species along the Coast of Bay of Bengal

A year long survey was conducted along the coast of Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh with the objectives of understanding the abundance, distribution and culture potentials of three commercially important mollusks species viz. green mussel (Perna viridis), clam (Meretrix meretrix) and oyster (Crassostrea madrasensis) along the coast of Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, to understand the present rate of exploitation and uses and to suggest the potential culture sites and sites for exploitation from the natural stocks from April 2003 to March 2004. Several survey methods were adopted including distribution of questionnaires to the districts and upazilla fishery officers and other stackholders; interviews of coastal inhabitants, use of PRA, RRA tools and direct field visits. The entire coastal belt was divided into four regions; Khulna, Barishal, Noakhali and Chittagong-Coxʹs Bazar. The study reveled that all three mollusk species are available in Chittagong-Coxʹs Bazar region. The important mollusks habitats in this region were Maheskhali channel, Kutubdia, Coxʹs Bazar and Teknaf. However, green mussel was mostly available in and around the Maheskhali channel. None of the investigated species was found in Noakhali region. Only a small quantity of clams was found in Barishal region. Relative abundance of oyster and clam in coastal area of greater Khulna region, especially in the Sunderbans forests were found. The availability of mollusks was higher in the lower region compared to the upper northern areas. Green mussel was not found in the greater Khulna region. None of the coastal inhabitants except coastal tribal communities consumed mollusk meat as food. Shells of mollusks were used as feed ingredients for poultry and shrimp industry. Clam shells were used for lime preparation in some area. While the distribution of mollusks population is patchy and there were no greater accumulation in one site for large scale harvest from the natural stocks, however there is great internal demand of mollusk meat for two millions of tribal people as well as shrimp farmers; and there is an increased demand of mollusk shells for the poultry industries, efforts should be directed towards culture of these mollusks as an important item of coastal aquaculture. There may be a potential for export especially for oyster, if cost effective aquaculture of it can be done. It can also provide alternative employment and livelihood options for a significant number of coastal people.