Farming snails combined with geoducks

Since 2012, the Aquaculture Research Institute III has transferred the technology of raising snails combined with geoducks, bringing high economic efficiency to farmers in Van Hung commune, Van Ninh district (Khanh Hoa).

The project "Application of technology for cultivating snails and geoducks at sea in a sustainable manner in Van Phong Bay, Khanh Hoa Province" is chaired by Khanh Hoa Aquaculture Department and transferred by Institute III. In 2012, Institute III transferred 5 technologies for cultivating snails combined with geoducks to more than 100 farmers.

In particular, the project supported 40 households, with 40 pens, each pen measuring 7x7x5m with an area of ​​5 hectares in Doc Da Trang village, Van Hung commune, Van Ninh district. Each participating household was allowed to carry out 2 pens: 1 pen for raising single-origin snails and 1 pen for raising single-origin snails combined with geoducks to compare economic and environmental efficiency.

According to Dr. Thai Ngoc Chien, technology transfer officer (Institute III): The stocking density for snails in the nursery stage (1 month) is from 800 - 1,000 snails/m2; size is about 10,000 snails/kg. In the commercial farming stage, after 2 months of farming, when the snails reach a size of 700 - 800 snails/kg, change the net with mesh size of 2a = 15 mm, stocking density from 300 - 350 snails/m2.

Geoducks are raised in hanging baskets around the cage (diameter of 50 cm), stocking density is 30 individuals/basket (geducks size 1.5 - 2.0 cm). Each cage has 70 geoducks placed outside the cage. Food for snails includes fish, crabs, etc. Daily food amount is equal to 5 - 10% of the snail mass; once a day in the early morning or late afternoon.

According to Dr. Chien, when applying this model, after 4-5 months of raising snails to a size of 100-120 snails/kg, they can be harvested. For geoducks that have not yet reached commercial size, they should continue to be raised for another month to clean the bottom of the pond before raising the next crop. Snails can be harvested by diving with a net or by a harvesting machine. Geoducks are caught by pulling up a basket and catching by hand.

Mr. Nguyen Quang, a participant in the model, commented: "Although the snail stocking density is lower than that of simple snail farming, the yield is high, with the snail survival rate reaching over 92% and geoduck survival rate reaching over 62%.

My family was supported to release 40,000 snail seeds for 2 cages and 140 baskets (30 snails each). After more than 4-5 months of raising and harvesting, we earned a profit of nearly 15 million VND.

Similarly, the household next to Mr. Nguyen Van Tan's family was also supported to raise the same number of fish as Mr. Quang's family. After more than 4 months of raising, the family earned a profit of more than 13 million VND. Currently, his family is continuing to expand this combined farming model.

Mr. Huynh Kim Khanh, Head of the Aquaculture Sub-Department of Khanh Hoa province, said that in the face of environmental pollution in farming areas, the model of raising snails combined with geoducks is considered one of the solutions to improve the environment, bringing high economic efficiency to farmers.

The model results in an average yield of 25 - 28 tons/ha/crop of snails; 15 tons/ha/crop of geoducks; the model's profit per household is 13.4 million VND; the model's interest rate is over 27% (within 4 - 5 months), which is very high.

According to (VTV News)- LC