Researchers hoping to rebrand a marine pest as a nutritious meals have developed the world’s first system of farming shipworms, which they’ve renamed ‘Bare Clams’

These lengthy, white saltwater clams are the world’s fastest-growing bivalve and may attain 30cm lengthy in simply six months. They do that by burrowing into waste wooden and changing it into highly-nutritious protein.

The researchers discovered that the degrees of Vitamin B12 within the Bare Clams had been increased than in most different bivalves – and virtually twice the quantity present in blue mussels.

And with the addition of an algae-based feed to the system, the Bare Clams could be fortified with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids – vitamins important for human well being.

Shipworms have historically been considered as a pest as a result of they bore via any wooden immersed in seawater, together with ships, piers and docks.

The researchers developed a fully-enclosed aquaculture system that may be utterly managed, eliminating the water high quality and meals security issues usually related to mussel and oyster farming.

And the modular design means it may be utilized in city settings, removed from the ocean.

“Bare Clams style like oysters, they’re extremely nutritious and they are often produced with a very low affect on the surroundings,” stated Dr David Willer, Henslow Analysis Fellow on the College of Cambridge’s Division of Zoology and first writer of the report.

He added: “Bare Clam aquaculture has by no means been tried earlier than. We’re rising them utilizing wooden that will in any other case go to landfill or be recycled, to supply meals that’s excessive in protein and important vitamins like Vitamin B12.”

Scientifically named Teredinids, these creatures haven’t any shell, however are classed as bivalve shellfish and associated to oysters and mussels.

As a result of the Bare Clams don’t put power into rising shells, they develop a lot sooner than mussels and oysters which may take two years to achieve a harvestable measurement.

The report is revealed at the moment within the journal Sustainable Agriculture.

Wild shipworms are eaten within the Philippines – both uncooked, or battered and fried like calamari. However for British customers, the researchers assume Bare Clams will probably be extra standard as a ‘chicken’ substitute in processed meals like fish fingers and fishcakes.

“We urgently want various meals sources that present the micronutrient-rich profile of meat and fish however with out the environmental value, and our system presents a sustainable answer,” stated Dr Reuben Shipway on the College of Plymouth’s College of Organic & Marine Sciences, senior writer of the report.

He added: “Switching from consuming beef burgers to Bare Clam nuggets could properly develop into a incredible option to cut back your carbon footprint.”

The analysis is a collaboration between the Universities of Cambridge and Plymouth, and has attracted funding from sources together with The Fishmongers’ Firm, British Ecological Society, Cambridge Philosophical Society, Seale-Hayne Belief, and BBSRC

The group is now trialling various kinds of waste wooden and algal feed of their system to optimise the expansion, style and dietary profile of the Bare Clams – and is working with Cambridge Enterprise to scale-up and commercialise the system.