Clam Aquaculture in Marine Science Classes

Students processed their native hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria as part of their class projects in collaboration with the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute of FAU. Students started the clams as small juvenile 'seed' from the research hatchery early in the year and raised them in our flow-through aquaculture system for marine science at the lagoon dock (click on the links to see their growth). The students studied mollusk biology, water quality requirements, aquatic animal health and nutrition, and temporal growth. Students moved the clams to another aquaculture facility, where they will complete their final growth stages and reach harvest size.