Inland Fisheries

5.5.3 Bivalves

Bivalves that include clams, mussels, edible oysters and window pane oyster are the shellfishes collected from the brackish waters and estuaries in India. The clams and mussels are not only limited to the sea coast; they often extend into muddy bottom of bays, estuaries and brackish water zones including the marshy lagoons along both the east and west coasts of India. Edible oysters are found in aggregated form on hard rocky or even on semi-hard sandy substrate in the bays and creeks near coastal waters. They are also available in the estuaries and other brackish water areas. Mostly, bivalves are collected for their meat and shell. Edible bivalves and ornamental shells gained popularity and their fishery improved after banning pearl fishing in 1961. During 1995-99, the average quantity of edible bivalve products exported per annum have been estimated as 580 tonnes, worth Rs.26 million and 567 t of oyster shell powder valued at Rs.1.5 million. The bivalve resources are mostly underexploitated along the northwest and northeast coasts whereas overexploited along the southeast and southwest coasts.