Bivalves as climate-friendly high quality animal protein: a comprehensive review

Hong Zhang, Kit-Leong Cheong () and Karsoon Tan ()
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Hong Zhang: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Beibu Gulf University
Kit-Leong Cheong: Guangdong Ocean University
Karsoon Tan: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Beibu Gulf University

Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, No 14, 739-748

Abstract: Abstract The demand for animal protein has increased dramatically as a result of population growth and rising incomes in some segments of society. One of the main issues associated with animal protein production (APP) is the significant amount of green-house gas (GHG) emissions. Replacing proteins from terrestrial animals that generate a high carbon footprint with proteins from aquatic animals that associated with a low carbon footprint may mitigate, or even reverse, climate change. Bivalves are known to be climate-friendly sources of animal proteins with very high nutritional quality. Despite the number of reports dealing with the carbon footprint of bivalve proteins, the information is not well organized. This reviews offers a synthesis on the impact of bivalve aquaculture on GHG emissions. Many studies have assessed the carbon sequestration potential of bivalves based solely on their respiration and the calcification process, which controversial results, because bio-calcification is highly influenced by the buffering capacity of carbonate systems in their natural habitats. Taking into account the ecosystem implications of bivalve aquaculture, the contribution of bivalve APP to carbon sinks appears to be substantial, mainly by promoting sedimentation of organic carbon for long term storage in seabed and by enhancing primary productivity through the nutrient cycles. The review also discusses other bivalve aquaculture-related components that are often overlooked (i.e., on-farm processing, post-harvest, and ultimate fate of shells). This review generates suggestions for minimizing GHG emissions. This review helps assessing the current state of research and identifying research directions for bivalve APP in slowing or even reversing climate change.

Keywords: Bivalve protein production; Greenhouse gases; Climate friendly; Food (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s12571-025-01530-y

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