Inland Fisheries

5.5.3.6 Utilization

The bivalves are utilized in various forms such as frozen, dried, pickled and canned clam and mussel meat, oyster shell powder and other ornamental shells. Bivalve meat is consumed along the west coast. Smoked and canned oysters are found in big cities. In Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, clams are also used for preparation of artificial shrimp feed or directly as shrimp feed. Shells of bivalves are used for the production of cement, calcium carbide, sand-lime bricks and lime. The lime shell is used as manure, as mortar in building construction, as a pesticide by mixing with copper sulphate, in the effluent treatment and in glass, rayon, polyfibre, paper and sugar industries. Attractive bivalve shells are used and traded for ornamental purpose.