When you’re a geoduck (pronounced “gooey duck,” scientific name panopea zelandica), appearances can be deceiving in more ways than one.
Found in New Zealand waters, it is the largest burrowing saltwater clam in the world. With an average weight of approximately one kilogram and an average shell size of 20 cm, the geoduck has, understandably, earned the name of ‘king clam.’
Based on its phallic appearance, the name of “elephant-trunk clam” is another obvious name.
“Geoducks are an established delicacy overseas,” says Associate Professor Andrea Alfaro, who heads AUT’s Aquaculture Biotechnology Group.
“Due to a robust demand from Asia and North America for geoduck, the capture fishery cannot satisfy the demand in an ecologically sustainable fashion. On a return-per-acre basis geoducks are the western region’s most valuable cultured shellfish species. Hence the intense interest in geoduck aquaculture and the predictions for continued rapid growth.”
In partnership with the Cawthron Institute, new research at AUT is now underway investigating the aquaculture market potential for geoducks in New Zealand and overseas.
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