Economics of ocean culture of giant clams, Tridacna gigas

Abstract

The paper estimates the internal rate of return of investment in a giant clam farm involved in the ocean phase of mariculture as a function of the period of ocean growout of Tridacna gigas. The ocean farm is assumed each year to place 100 000 seed clams of approximately 1 year of age. The optimal length of time to hold them depends on the farm-gate price of clam meat and is estimated to be 11 years when they are sold at $A5 per kg. This yields an estimated internal rate of return of 18.0% and maximises the net present value or capitalised value of the farm. If 40% drip loss occurs in the meat the internal rate of return is 11.25% and the optimal period to hold batches of clams is 14 years. Show more