Between 1989 and 1992, a small-scale grow-out trials of cultured T. gigas were established at 40 coastal villages. The clams were grown in cages of wire mesh placed on trestles in shallow, subtidal, coral reef habitats. In 32 of the 53 cages involved in the trials, all clams were removed completely from the cage every three months for cleaning. The growth rate of clams removed for cleaning was significantly lower than the growth rate of undisturbed clams, but their survival rate was significantly higher.