Sustainable mollusk farming project aims to boost food security in Asia

New global research initiative targets more sustainable, resilient mollusk farming in Asia amid climate and food security challenges

The University of Southampton (U.K.) is leading a new international research initiative aimed at improving the sustainability of mollusk farming in Asia – the world’s largest producer of oysters, mussels and clams.

The project will inform strategies to strengthen food security and protect livelihoods across the region, which is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, disease and economic pressures. Scientists will examine how different mollusk species respond to environmental stressors to identify those most adaptable to a rapidly changing climate.

“Climate change brings the prospect of higher sea temperatures, and changes to the distribution and timing of monsoonal systems and associated changes to the salinity of coastal waters,” said Chris Hauton, project lead and professor at the University of Southampton. “A small number of species make up the vast majority of mollusk farming across Asia, and there is growing concern as to the resilience of these culture systems in the face of such an uncertain future.”

Each year, approximately 20 million metric tons (MT) of mollusks – valued at $29.8 billion – are produced globally, with a significant share coming from Southeast Asia. In this region, shellfish are more than a lucrative export – they are a vital source of nutrition and income for millions of coastal communities that rely on them for sustenance and economic stability.

At the same time, changing economic drivers, such as the farmers moving away from producing mollusks for local consumption in favor of more lucrative export markets could also threaten local food security in the region.

“The reliance on so few species also makes mollusk production vulnerable to climate shocks, outbreaks of disease and other crop failures, which will be made more likely as temperatures increase,” said Hauton.

To address this, a £3 million (U.S. $3.8 million) grant from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will support WAVES – Working towards Adaptive and Versatile Environmental Sustainability – a new consortium aimed at guiding mollusk aquaculture toward more sustainable, equitable practices. Led by the University of Southampton, the group includes the Royal Veterinary College, University of Stirling, Can Tho University, Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic of Jembrana, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Northumbria University and Newcastle University, with support from WorldFish (Malaysia) and the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1 (Vietnam).

Researchers will engage with local communities to map systems of mollusk production in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, to understand existing production systems. This will include mapping stakeholders, relationships, influential factors, challenges and trends.

“The RVC is leading the systems mapping of current mollusk production in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia to better understand activities, livelihoods and climate change threats,” said Dr. Lucy Brunton, Senior Lecturer in Molecular Veterinary Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College. “Such threats might include increased disease outbreaks in mollusk populations, decreased productivity and altering of land suitability for farming, which can all negatively impact food safety and security and the livelihoods of farming communities.”

“By better understanding these threats, this research will allow us to develop tools to plan for future sustainable expansion of mollusk aquaculture that is resilient to the impacts of climate change and therefore protect food security and livelihoods in the region,” she added.

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The team will also assess how various mollusk species respond to environmental stressors such as shifts in salinity and exposure to disease. By evaluating a broad range of species, the research aims to establish a more diverse and resilient culture stock capable of withstanding future shocks. These findings will feed into predictive models that simulate how mollusk farming in Asia could be affected under different climate, economic and policy scenarios.

“Mollusk farming has a low environmental footprint and by filtering seawater as they feed, mollusks enhance water quality in and around the farms,” said Dr. Andrew Desbois from the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling. “Taking steps to ensure production continues in a changing climate will help to make sure these highly nutritious foods will be available to consumers in the regions where they are farmed, and around the world.”

Researchers will also gather data to demonstrate how farming a more diverse mix of species and investing in hatcheries to develop high-quality seed could make farming more resilient and produce safer, more nutritious food. The findings of the project will be shared with mollusk farmers and policymakers in the region to show how they can transition to a more sustainable and equitable future.

“This information will not only help regional planners to think strategically about how best they can support mollusk farming into the future but also empower farmers to improve farming practices to produce high-quality mollusk products in a sustainable and resilient way,” said Hauton.

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