Bivalve harvesting and production in Portugal: an overview

• Autor(a) principal: Oliveira, Jacinta
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Castilho, Fernanda, Cunho, Ângela, Pereira, Mário Jorge
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10773/28240
• topic: Shellfisheries; Bivalve production; Shellfish economy; Shellfish quality; Portugal

The exploitation of bivalves is an ancient activity in Portugal, with social, economic and cultural importance. The exploitation of shellfish is largely dependent on the capture and production of molluscs. Bivalves have a relevant impact on both the harvesting and production sectors. In the production sector, bivalves are suitably represented, but the higher incomes are obtained mostly from captures. Clams and cockles are the main harvested bivalves, whereas clams and oysters were the most produced. Produced or captured bivalves (live, fresh, frozen, or canned) are targeted mainly to the national market whereas Japanese oysters are entirely exported and mussels are channeled for both markets. Exploitation of bivalves has shown important progress; however, there is still considerable potential for expansion of this sector in Portugal. New strategies to overcome constraints in this activity are urgently needed—namely, (1) improving communication among stakeholders, (2) encouraging the organization of the sector, and (3) adding value to the product by creating new market opportunities. The exploitation of bivalves is an ancient activity in Portugal, with social, economic and cultural importance. The exploitation of shellfish is largely dependent on the capture and production of molluscs. Bivalves have a relevant impact on both the harvesting and production sectors. In the production sector, bivalves are suitably represented, but the higher incomes are obtained mostly from captures. Clams and cockles are the main harvested bivalves, whereas clams and oysters were the most produced. Produced or captured bivalves (live, fresh, frozen, or canned) are targeted mainly to the national market whereas Japanese oysters are entirely exported and mussels are channeled for both markets. Exploitation of bivalves has shown important progress; however, there is still considerable potential for expansion of this sector in Portugal. New strategies to overcome constraints in this activity are urgently needed—namely, (1) improving communication among stakeholders, (2) encouraging the organization of the sector, and (3) adding value to the product by creating new market opportunities.