A Gulf Shellfish Institute Initiative
All Clams on Deck
Using shellfish aquaculture to restore Southwest, Florida estuaries and growing its coastal economies
The issues we’re facing:
Nutrient loading from an ever growing coastal population is degrading Florida’s water quality and fueling harmful algal blooms.
Once abundant filter feeders, such as bivalve shellfish, have been removed from Florida's estuaries through overharvest and habitat loss.
Poor water quality harms Florida’s economy, which depends upon healthy marine ecosystems to support tourism and seafood production.
An alarming loss of seagrass, one of Southwest Florida’s most valuable marine ecosystems, has occurred since 2016 due to diminished water quality.
Our Vision
Closing point sources of nutrient pollution (e.g., Piney Point), redirecting releases of nutrient-loaded water from Lake Okeechobee back into the Everglades, and improving coastal infrastructure, such as upgrading wastewater treatment, will all help reduce the inflow of pollutants into Florida’s estuaries. The Gulf Shellfish Institute believes shellfish ‘restoration aquaculture’ is the most cost-effective approach to remove pollutants already in our waterways and assist the recovery of marine habitats that have been negatively impacted by such water quality stressors, like seagrass. The multi-year, proof-of-concept initiative will evaluate whether grow-out of native hard clams using aquaculture practices can improve local water quality, remove nitrogen, and facilitate seagrass. Top marine scientists from across the state will partner with the Gulf Shellfish Institute to help monitor restoration outcomes and quantify the ecological services this initiative provides, including water filtration and nitrogen removal.
The solution to improving water quality in Southwest Florida depends upon:
Reducing the alarming flow of nutrients entering our waterways,
Restoring the hydrology of our estuaries, and
Removing excess nutrients that are already there,
Assisting marine ecosystem recovery.
The All Clams on Deck restoration aquaculture approach focuses on the later two.
Desired Result
Restoration of seagrass & clam populations in Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor
Provide the research & proof of concept needed to support the use of bi-valves as potential environmental mitigation strategies
Integrate environment and economic sustainability
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How We Lead the Way
Through strategic restoration efforts targeting seagrass and clam populations in Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor, we combat threats like algae blooms and pollution. By nurturing seagrass meadows and bolstering clam populations, we preserve vital habitat and ensure essential ecological services, vital for both environmental health and Florida's tourism industry.
“We have great, unique resources here to be able to deal with some of these water quality issues by using a biological mitigation strategy.”
– Ed Chiles / Vice President, GSI
Part of the solution: Restoration Aquaculture
Fishing, tourism, and recreation on Florida’s Gulf Coast supports 304,000 jobs and a $17.5 billion economy.1 Looking statewide, about 47% of the economy is reliant on coastal tourism, generating significant tax dollars that fund a full continuum of public infrastructure, schools, roads, health and community services that in turn are essential for keeping the region’s economy humming.
Known for its beautiful sandy beaches and diverse flora and fauna, the Sarasota/Tampa Bay region is a powerful magnet for tourists, businesses, universities, leading nonprofits, individuals and families from near and far. Its appeal is enhanced by the region’s border with the Gulf of Mexico, which is the only place in America with three natural estuaries.
However, the continued beauty and prosperity of the region is at serious risk. The release of 200 million gallons of phosphoric acid tailings water from Piney Point into the Gulf on April 20, 2021, created a potentially dangerous public health and economic crisis that threatens the “golden goose” of tourism on Florida’s shores, and specifically in the Gulf region.
The conditions in the Gulf may give rise to Red Tide, which causes major fish die-offs and serious respiratory illnesses among residents and tourists alike. Damage from the 2018 red tide episode resulted in 260 tons of sea life ending up in landfills, the loss of 2000 acres of seagrass in Sarasota Bay, and extensive economic and social stress across many community sectors. The outlook for the fishing industry, likewise, is dire if the issue of red tide is not addressed.
The time to act is now: to come together and collaborate on a healthy, thriving future for the Gulf Coast.
Methods & Timeline
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Form advisory panel, identify co-restoration sites, and apply for permits
An advisory panel comprised of leading marine scientists, ecosystem managers, restoration practitioners, shellfish aquaculture professionals, and extension specialists will guide the All Clams on Deck initiative, including site selection, project design, permitting, and outreach. Following the first advisory panel meeting, Gulf Shellfish Institute staff will identify a list of candidate co-restoration sites from Tampa to Estero Bay and use a combination of remote sensing, environmental data, and in-water visits to select final sites. Necessary permits will be submitted to conduct co-restoration activities, including from local entities, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Florida Fish Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
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Install hatchery raised clams and seagrass
Approximately 3,250,000 nursery grown seagrass planting units will be installed on three foot centers over designated restoration sites to total 650 acres of planted seagrass. Seagrass planting units will consist of nursery grown Shoal grass and Widgeon grass. Both species are highly prolific and are rapid colonizers. Approximately 5,000,000 clams will be raised to a 10mm size, then planted within permitted areas into 30 populations of high density (Pohd) within the three estuaries. The species best suited for this region is the Southern hard clam, Mercenaria campechiensis.
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Maintain and monitor restoration sites
Seagrass and clam restoration areas will be monitored for a three year period to document the success of the plantings. A time zero and annual report will be generated from monitoring events. During each monitoring event, a biologist will measure density/cover and expansion rates of the seagrass restoration areas. The 10mm size clam populations, once planted, will be cover netted, a proven technique to reduce predation, with the nets being changed out 4-10 times per year for purposes of controlling biofouling and net mesh size adaptation.
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Present a peer-reviewed publication of results
This project will provide an invaluable research opportunity to evaluate multiple parameters during a multi species, large scale restoration effort. An existing team of partners, including management agencies, academic researchers, and non profit conservation organizations, will be encouraged to participate in the process and provide input to research design and progress. Results from any research that stems from this work will be disseminated in the form of scientific publications, formal presentations, and educational outreach to the public.
All Clams on Deck Advisory Panel
Southwest Florida’s top marine scientists, ecosystem managers, restoration practitioners, shellfish aquaculture professionals, and environmental educators all guide the All Clams on Deck initiative:
William Arnold, Ph.D.
Chairman, OceanSpace, LLC
Susan Bell, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of South Florida
Leah Biery, M.S.
Discovery Center Director, Tampa Bay Watch
Angela Collins, Ph.D.
Assistant Extension Scientist, Florida Sea Grant/IFAS
James Douglass, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University
Kerry Flaherty Walia, M.S.
Restoration Ecologist, Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Bradley Furman, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Stephen Geiger, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Curtis Hemmel
Founder, Bay Shellfish Co.
Nicole Iadevaia
Director of Research & Restoration, Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Program
Felix Jose, PhD
Associate Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University
Jay Leverone, PhD
Staff Scientist, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Melissa May, PhD
Assistant Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University
Eric Milbrandt, PhD
Marine Lab Director, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
Brandon Moody, MS
Water Quality Manager, Charlotte County
Damon Moore, MS
Executive Director, Oyster River Ecology, Inc.
Todd Osborne, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of Florida/IFAS
Josh Patterson, PhD
Associate Professor, University of Florida/IFAS
Nicole Rhody, PhD
Program Manager & Senior Scientist, Mote Marine Laboratory
Kate Rose, MS
Charlotte County Extension Agent, Florida Sea Grant
Portia Sapp, MS
Director, Division of Aquaculture, FDACS
Ashley Smyth, PhD
Associate Professor, University of Florida/IFAS
DJ Strott
Owner, Joe Island Clams, LLC.
Sheri Swanson, MS
Ecological Resources Division Manager, Manatee County
Beau Williams
CEO, AquaTech Eco Consultants, LLC.
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