Palau Aquaculture Species

There are (15) species of fish and invertebrates currently in production at the Palau Mariculture Demonstration Center (PMDC) and the Palau National Aquaculture Center (PNAC).

Both facilities are housed in the Bureau of Fisheries compound in Malakal, Koror. Together they facilitate aquaculture production in Palau by increasing production capacity to support aquaculture farms and MPA restoration.

  1. Giant Clams: There 8 Giant Clam species in Palau and are all cultured at PMDC. Formerly MMDC, this facility is the first in the world to produce giant clams internationally, All 8 species are cultured depending on brood stock availability and demand.
  2. Milkfish: Local production has been ongoing in Palau near brackish water, most notably in Peleliu and Ngatpang. Current brood stock at the PNAC have produced a successful fingerlings that are 100% culture from locally sources brood stock, as opposed to the traditional imported fingerlings from Taiwan or Philippines.
  3. Sea cucumber: Several species are found in Palau, only two are cultured at PMDC: Holothuria scabra and Actinopyga spp.
  4. Sea grape/seaweed: Pilot study trial at PNAC to determine culture feasibility.
  5. Rabbitfish: There are two species of Siganus cultured at PNAC: S. fuscescens and S. linneatus. Both species are preferred food sources, thus, the production supplements MPA’s to ensure sustainable food source.
  6. Giant prawn: Pilot study at PNAC is ongoing. Further research needed due to limited brood stock.
SpeciesScientific NamePalauan name
Smooth giant clamTridacna derasakism
Bear plaw clamHippopus hippopusduadou
Fluted giant clamTridacna squamosaribkungel
True giant clamTridacna gigasotkang
Small giant clamTridacna maximamelibes
Tear-drop calmTridacna noaemelibes
China clamHippopus porcellanusduadou
Boring clamTridacna croceaoruer
Lined rabbitfishSiganus linneatusklsebuul
Dusky rabbitfishSiganus fuscescensmeas
MilkfishChanos chanoschaol
Grey sandfishHolothuria scabramolch
Sea cucumberActinopyga spp.cheremrum
Giant freshwater prawnMacrobrachium rosenbergiicherechur
Sea grapeCaulerpa cylindracean/a