Naked Clams: A Comprehensive Analysis of Their Global Potential for Commercial Aquaculture

Abstract

ABSTRACT ‘Blue foods’ from aquaculture provide an invaluable source of nutrition but can be resource‐intensive and relatively unsustainable to produce. Naked clam aquaculture, the farming of wood‐boring bivalves of the family Teredinidae, offers a means to rapidly and sustainably convert wood into a low‐environmental impact and nutrient‐dense protein. Naked clam aquaculture is unique due to the ease with which culture can be performed with minimal infrastructure, making it an ideal candidate to alleviate protein scarcity even on small‐scale family farms. Here we perform the first comprehensive global analysis of naked clam sizes and growth rates to identify optimal species for yield and suitable locations for aquaculture. We find that naked clam species grow at three times the rate of commercially farmed blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis ) and reach much greater final sizes (including species that exceed 1.5 m in length), despite not being optimised for aquaculture. We also consolidate reports on the confirmed and suspected nutritional attributes of naked clams, including their high vitamin B 12 levels and other health claims, and identify direction for further quantitative analysis and application to the food sector. To support the development of naked clam aquaculture globally, we outline a strategic roadmap addressing key research and development priorities, including species selection, growth optimisation, and disease prevention. With their rapid growth, high yields, and potential for scalability, naked clams represent a transformative opportunity to expand aquaculture that is both profitable and sustainable, while addressing critical challenges in global food security and human health.