Panaji: As the summer season comes knocking on the door, fishermen get into Goan river waters to collect clam. With the spring season in full bloom, the fisherman are busy collecting clams from the river. A large quantity of clams are found during this season as the tides are low and clams come into lower flow level for breeding. Clams are animals that burrow under the sea floor. They are bi-valves, mollusks that have two shells to protect a soft body. There are over 15,000 different species of clams worldwide.

     Fishermen wade in the rivers like Mandovi and grope for hours for a handful of clams, priced as low as 10 rupees for a mug. "It is only during the season that we get clams here.We sell it in the market for 10 to 20 rupees for one mug-full," said Inas, a fisherman. Clams are highly valued as food and a lot of Goan delicacies are prepared with them. "We buy these shells to make a special curry in Goa and also other spicy dishes.What we call as Sukai in Goa," said Sanjay Borkar, a buyer.

     Goa has plentiful molluscan resources in the estuaries and coastal waters and contributes substantially to the economy of local fishermen. About 1,000 tonne of clams, mussels and oysters are harvested annually from the creeks, estuaries and backwaters of Goa.
- March 19, 2005