Abstract: A method for establishing a clam bed which includes raising clam larvae in a captive environment in which they are provided with adequate food and habitat requirements and kept isolated from predation by natural predators. In addition, a mobile, floating hatchery/nursery facilitates implementation of the method by providing a captive environment.

Abstract: A method for establishing a clam bed includes raising clam larvae in a captive environment in which they are provided with adequate food and habitat requirements, and kept isolated from predation by natural predators. The clam larvae are maintained in this environment during the first larval stage, referred to as the trochophore stage of development, when the larvae are particularly vulnerable to mortality. During the next stage of development, the developing larval clams are released, preferably in large numbers (saturation spawning) at any time during the veliger stage of development, i.e., the generic stage following the trochophore larval stage, and which includes the sub-stages of straight-hinge veliger, umbonate veliger, and pediveliger. Preferably, the entire process prior to release in accordance with the invention is carried out in a closed system, to significantly reduce possible exposure to contaminants and/or harmful predator larvae/parasites, in addition to larger animal predators.

Abstract: A method for establishing a clam bed includes raising clam larvae in a captive environment in which they are provided with adequate food and habitat requirements, and kept isolated from predation by natural predators. The clam larvae are maintained in this environment during the first larval stage, referred to as the trochophore stage of development, when the larvae are particularly vulnerable to mortality. During the next stage of development, the larvae are called veligers. The developing larval clams are released, preferably in large numbers (saturation spawning) at any time during the veliger stage of development, i.e., the generic stage following the trochophore larval stage and which includes the sub-stages of straight-hinge veliger, umbonate veliger, and pediveliger.