Voice of the Sea: Farming Clams, Oysters & Sponges
September 19, 2024
In this episode of Voice of the Sea, we travel to the Gulf of Mexico, meet up with Florida Sea Grant researchers and partners, and learn about farming clams, oysters, and sponges. These filter feeders help clean the water, provide nursery habitat, and support thriving industries! In Cedar Key, we head out on the water to harvest clams. Then, we check out oysters growing in living shorelines systems that actively protect coastal areas from erosion and storm damage.
From Cedar Key, we head south to Tampa Bay where clam farmers are growing food clams as well as native clams for ecosystem restoration. Then, we head offshore to visit sponge aquaculture research sites near Hernando Beach. Like clams and oysters, sponges are filter feeders that help clean the water as they eat. Sponges also provide a critically important nursery habitat for fishes!
TV Premiere on K5
Sun., Sep 22 @ 6 p.m. HST
Thurs. Oct 17 @ 6 p.m. HST