About the Author

About the Author

Gerald Heslinga was the managed the Micronesian Mariculture Demonstration Center in Koror, Republic of Palau, from 1984 to 1994. He led the research team that developed many of the giant clam hatchery techniques now employed at facilities throughout the tropical Pacific. He has written more than 30 technical articles on invertebrate reproduction, mariculture and marketing and is the author, along with Thomas Watson and Theofanes Isamu, of the comprehensive production manual titled Giant Clam Farming, which was published in 1990. Heslinga resides in Hawaii, where he owns and operates Indo-Pacific Sea Farms. He can be reached at P.O. Box 1206, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745.

Acknowledgments

This manual was prepared as part of the work under a project titled “Aquaculture Extension and Training Support in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands—Year Six.” Financial support for this work was provided by the Center for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A. grant # 92-38500-7262).

The author greatly appreciates the assistance of the Micronesian Mariculture Demonstration Center (MMDC) giant clam hatchery staff, especially Tom Watson, Don Hanser, Asap Bukurrou, Setts Mongami, Lawrence Sumor and Jay Oruetamor. These individuals spent countless hours creating giant clam shell craftware, patiently teaching and guiding our visitors and often contributing original thoughts and exceptional talents that led to better products and more satisfied customers.

A special thanks is extended to Noah ldechong, Theofanes Isamu and the late David ldip for helping to create a positive work environment at MMDC and for providing space, both literally and figuratively, for the expression of our entrepreneurial instincts. As a result, the shell products designed and created at MMDC were a source of delight and value to the many thousands of tourists, local residents and school children who visited Palau's MMDC Gift Shop between 1989 and 1994.

Patti Killelea-Almonte did the layout and design of this publication. Bill Perryclear shot the photographs. The companion videotape was filmed and edited by Kevin Davidson and Gerald Heslinga.

The views expressed in this publication are strictly those of the author and do not reflect the views of the Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture or the U.S. Department of Agriculture or any staff of those agencies.