Carbon removal from the ocean by bivalve aquaculture: a global view

[Geoengineering News]

https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(26)00347-0

Authors: Karsoon Tan, Zexin Li, Xueyu Yan 

10 February 2026

Highlights

• Scallops and oysters are the best candidates with the highest FCS potential

• Aquaculture of razor clams is a carbon source

• FCS from bivalve aquaculture increased by 42% from 2010 to 2022

• FCS from bivalve aquaculture from 2010 to 2022 was 7.74 million tonnes

Summary

Bivalve aquaculture, a potential carbon sink (FCS), enhances oceanic CO2 absorption to mitigate climate change. Prior studies, primarily in China, lack a global perspective. Using an updated carbon budget model, this study finds scallops and oysters have the highest removal potential, with oysters being the most farmed. From 2010 to 2022, global bivalve aquaculture production increased by 53%, driving a 42% increase in net oceanic carbon removal from 0.91 to 1.29 million tonnes. The current oceanic carbon removal by bivalve aquaculture is comparable to the carbon sequestration provided by 0.32 million hectares of afforestation per year, and this figure is expected to grow continuously in the future. This study offers a comprehensive overview of global trends in the oceanic carbon removal for bivalve aquaculture. Additionally, it also highlights existing research gaps and outlines priorities for future research to enhance the accuracy of carbon removal estimations in bivalve aquaculture system.

Source: Cell Press