Repository logo
 

From Pest to Profit—The Potential of Shipworms for Sustainable Aquaculture

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

No Thumbnail Available

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Willer, DF 
Aldridge, DC 

Abstract

We face a food crisis. Suboptimal diet is the biggest cause of death worldwide, food production the biggest greenhouse gas emitting sector, and by 2050 an extra 2.5 billion people need affordable nutrition. Current farming systems will fail to tackle this crisis, and there is an urgent need to diversify global food production and find effective solutions in currently underexploited food sectors. Shipworms, or shell-less Teredo clams, could prove a highly valuable component of such solutions. Historically viewed as a marine pest, they have unique physiological characteristics which make them an ideal food source, including exceptionally fast growth rates, the ability to feed on waste wood or sustainable microalgae, and a high protein and omega 3 content. Today only a select few traditional cultures in the Philippines consume shipworms, but there is considerable opportunity to develop mechanisms to farm shipworms and provide a sustainable, nutrient rich, affordable food source. This will require significant challenges to be overcome, ranging from fundamental research to industry development to food processing and marketing. Leveraging new innovations in breeding, aquaculture feeds, growth systems, food processing methodologies and consumer engagement can however offer powerful solutions, and could help turn what was once a maritime villain into a nutritional saviour.

Description

Keywords

aquaculture, shipworm, Teredo navalis, sustainable, nutrition, clam, food security, bivalve

Journal Title

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1054-8289
2571-581X

Volume Title

4

Publisher

Frontiers Media SA

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (1804970)
David