Publication Details

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF MANGROVE CLAM, Geloina expansa (Mousson, 1849) (MOLLUSCA, BIVALVIA) IN A MALAYSIAN MANGROVE SYSTEM OF SOUTH CHINA SEA

Mangrove clam, Geloina expansa is a common harvested resource in the Malaysian mangroves. Although the local communities extensively collect the species throughout the year, information on the population dynamics of the species in Malaysia is limited. Population dynamics study is essential to help in adequate stock management during potential future commercial exploitation. The population dynamics of G. expansa from Setiu Wetlands were determined by shell length and wet weight for 18 months (from January 2016 to June 2017). The estimated growth parameters using von Bertalanffy growth equation were; L∞ = 76.1 mm and K = 0.7 year–1. The total mortality (Z) rates were expected to be 2.1 year–1. The fishing mortality (F) rates (1.0 year–1) are almost similar to natural mortality (M) rates (1.1 year–1), whilst observed exploitation (E) rates (0.5 year–1), fall under optimised position in the stock with exploitation rates of Emax = 0.5. Therefore, there is a need to regulate rules such as time limit, legal harvesting size and licence implementation of this organism to avoid population from declining. This study suggests possible step to be taken to ensure the sustainability of G. expansa to thrive in the future.