Centre for Shellfish Research Initiates Cockle Project

The CSR has initiated a project to develop techniques for producing seed for the Basket Cockle (Clinocardium nuttalli). Under the direction of Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith, this project will undertake research into all life cycle stages.

The overall research project structure is a coast-wide research collaborative partnership involving the CSR, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, research consultants, industry members and First Nations.

Dr. Wenshan Liu has accepted a post doctoral fellowship position, under Dr. Gurney-Smith, to lead the cockle broodstock maturation and spawning project. Funding has been provided by Fisheries and Ocean’s through the Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program. Please click here if you want more information on Dr.Wenshan Liu and his Cockle Research Project.  

The broodstock maturation project will be geared towards obtaining a consistent supply of high quality gametes. The experiments will examine the effects of temperature on metabolic rates, determine the Biological Zero Point and Effective Accumulative Temperatures for gonad development as well as the effect of food type and concentration on broodstock maturation and gamete quality.