The need for the development of an Australian clam aquaculture industry is a direct outcome of the inability of the wild clam industry to meet the demand of a large international market prepared to pay a premium price for quality Australian clams. While clam aquaculture has been successfully developed on a large scale overseas, none exists in Australia at this time. Currently, a feasibility study to evaluate clams culture on intertidal and subtidal leases in SA is underway with the funding support from FRDC, SA Clam Aquaculture and SARDI (FRDC project 2009/208).

At the same time, PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture is evaluating policies related to clam aquaculture development in SA to ensure the long term viability of both the wild harvest fishery and the successful development of a sustainable aquaculture industry. The critical knowledge gaps identified for this assessment are: 1. population genetic structure of clam species in South Australia; 2. potential genetic and biosecurity risks of moving farming stocks between localities, and 3. effective and efficient methods to distinguish hatchery produced stock from wild stocks. Understanding the population structure of this clam species and biosecurity risks of moving stocks will allow for the development of far more specific management strategies to control the potential adverse genetic and biosecurity impacts of farmed clams on the local wild population, thus protecting its genetic integrity if genetically divergent localised populations exist along the SA coastline. Practical identification of hatchery stocks will ensure compliance with wild fishery, aquaculture and recreational harvesting policies. All these need to be taken into account in developing clam aquaculture in SA.