Periwinkles are small, edible sea snails that are commonly found along the rocky shores of many parts of the world.
They are a popular delicacy in some cuisines, especially in Europe and Asia, where they are boiled, fried, or pickled.
Periwinkles are also a source of natural dyes, such as purple and blue, that have been used since ancient times.
However, periwinkles are not easy to farm, as they have complex life cycles and require specific environmental conditions to thrive.
Most of the periwinkles sold in the market are harvested from the wild, which poses challenges for sustainability and quality control.
Researchers successfully breed periwinkles in lab for the first time
(Photo : Ernesto Ryan/Getty Images)
A team of researchers from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has achieved a breakthrough in periwinkle aquaculture by successfully breeding and rearing periwinkles in a laboratory setting for the first time.
The researchers used the common periwinkle (Littorina littorea) as their model species, as it is widely distributed and commercially important.
They collected adult periwinkles from the coast of New Hampshire and induced them to spawn in tanks by manipulating the water temperature and salinity.
They then collected the eggs and larvae and transferred them to separate tanks, where they provided them with optimal conditions for growth and development.
The researchers were able to raise the periwinkles from eggs to juveniles in about three months, which is faster than the natural cycle that takes up to a year.
The researchers also tested different types of feed for the periwinkles, such as algae, yeast, and commercial fish feed.
They found that algae was the best option, as it provided the highest survival and growth rates for the periwinkles.
The researchers also experimented with different substrates for the periwinkles to attach and graze on, such as plastic mesh, ceramic tiles, and oyster shells.
They found that oyster shells were the most suitable, as they offered a natural and biodegradable material that mimicked the periwinkles' habitat.
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Researchers aim to develop new aquaculture business for periwinkles
The researchers hoped that their findings will pave the way for developing a new aquaculture business for periwinkles in New Hampshire and beyond.
They believe that periwinkle farming could offer several benefits, such as diversifying the local seafood industry, creating new jobs and income opportunities, reducing pressure on wild populations, improving food safety and traceability, and enhancing coastal ecosystems.
The researchers plan to continue their work by scaling up their production system and testing its feasibility and profitability in a commercial setting.
They also intend to collaborate with other stakeholders, such as fishermen, farmers, chefs, consumers, regulators, and educators, to promote awareness and acceptance of periwinkle aquaculture.
They hope that their project will inspire more research and innovation in this emerging field.
Periwinkles are a valuable but underutilized resource that could be cultivated through aquaculture.
Researchers from UNH have made a significant contribution to this field by successfully breeding and rearing periwinkles in a lab for the first time.
They aim to develop a new aquaculture business for periwinkles that could benefit the economy, society, and environment of New Hampshire and beyond.
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