Lagoon Cockle
Shell thicker, ovate-elongated with a slightly concave anterior margin. The posterior margin is not so straight as in the typical form. Aperture is more circular. Shallow burrowing bivalve that feeds by filtering phytoplankton from the water column
Shells can change their weight by absorbing or shedding water. Shells are fragile and easily broken. Shell is thicker, oval-elongated with a slightly concave anterior margin. The posterior margin is not so straight as in the typical form. Aperture is more circular. Abundant but patchily distributed in estuaries and lower reaches of large rivers from northern Scotland east to the Baltic Sea and south to England and northern France. Occurs in areas of estuarine influence on the lower courses of large rivers.
Shell valves are fragile and easily broken. This characteristic is illustrated by the rather fragmented shells found along the east coast of Britain, especially where this species occurs at very low densities. Associated animals include small bivalves, polychaete worms, amphipods, and decapods.
This species feeds by filtering phytoplankton from the water column. Larger individuals may show an extended siphonal canal and harbor small pelecypods in its gill chamber. The ctenidia (gills) contain several filaments and lamellae which together with the shape of the ctenidial cavity and the number of ctenidia filaments, probably influence feeding ability.
Shell valves are fragile and easily broken. This characteristic is illustrated by fragmented shells found along the east coast of Britain, especially where this species occurs at very low densities. Associated animals include small bivalves, polychaete worms, amphipods, and decapods.
The larger individuals can harbour small pelecypods in the gill chamber, as well as a few amphipods. The species is infrequently found, but it has been reported from several brackish water regions around northwest Europe ranging from northern Scotland east to the Baltic Sea and south to England and northern France.
Shells can change their weight by absorbing or shedding water. Shells are fragile and easily broken. Thick-shelled cockles, that feed by filtering phytoplankton from the water column, are found in estuaries where salinity is less than normal seawater but greater than river water.
Global lagoon cockle production
Lagoon cockles are a popular seafood item in many parts of the world. These small, edible mollusks are harvested from coastal waters and often used in soups, stews, and other dishes.
Global production of lagoon cockles is thought to be around 30,000 metric tons annually. The majority of these cockles are harvested in China, which produces over 25,000 metric tons per year. Other leading producers of lagoon cockles include Vietnam, Korea, and Thailand.
Lagoon cockles are typically harvested using small hand-held nets. The catch is then brought to shore where the cockles are sorted and cleaned. Many of the cockles that are harvested are sold fresh, while others are processed and canned.
The global demand for lagoon cockles has remained relatively stable in recent years. The majority of the cockles that are consumed are used in Asian cuisine. In China, for example, the lagoon cockles are often used in soups and stir-fries. As the global population continues to grow, the demand for lagoon cockles is expected to increase. This could lead to higher prices for these mollusks in the future.