Surviving the cold: a review of the effects of cold spells on bivalves and mitigation measures

Cold spells, characterized by prolonged periods of low temperature, have become increasingly frequent, intense, and due to the ongoing effects climate change, resulting in devastating consequences for marine ecosystems significant socio-economic impacts. As ectothermic organisms, bivalves are dependent on their environment regulating body thus, cold spells can disrupt normal functioning, leading mass mortalities. This review comprehensively summarizes proposes mitigation measures be considered future bivalve farming management plans. Scientific evidence has indicated that alter metabolism, an increase stress protein production a decrease activity energy metabolism-related enzymes, which negatively impact immune system risk disease. To mitigate bivalves, number strategies employed, including use thermal shelters such as floating covers, selective breeding more cold-tolerant genetic engineering enhance expression heat-shock proteins bivalves. The impacts significant, affecting both physiological molecular processes. Through implementation shelters, breeding, engineering, reduced, improving survival growth. Further research is required fully understand spells’ develop effective measures.