Based on the 3－year research on a site suitability assessment for manila clam farms, NIFS announced that it found the correlation between manila clam yields in the West Sea coast and the exposure duration of tidal flats. 

The Tidal Flat Research Center(Gunsan) of NIFS conducted the research targeting manila clam production sites in tidal flats along the West Sea coast, including Keunso Bay, Cheonsu Bay, Gomso Bay, etc. This is the first time to apply the exposure duration to the habitat assessment as the environmental factor.

It turned out that the yields in the West Sea coast were the highest under the optimal conditions of the exposure duration(2-4 hours), the sand content of mud sediments of tidal flats(60-80%), and the flow velocity(0.3-1.0m/s). 

As the correlation between the yields and tidal flat environment was revealed, it became possible to contribute to designating suitable sites for manila clam culture and increaing the income of fishing community. 

The Director of Tidal Flat Research Center said, "We will continuously do our best to focus on field-centered research to increase the yields of high-value shellfish and identify suitable sites by expanding the research scope from manila clam to other useful shellfish, including venus clam, surf clam, hard clam, etc.