Shellfish Aquaculture and Aquatic Preserves Public Education Exhibits

Five educational exhibits were constructed and installed around the state in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection, Aquatic Preserves Program. Each exhibit is in proximity to coastal areas that host the farming or harvesting of hardshell clams or oysters.

Four exhibits feature three panels that describe the environmentally compatible nature of clam farming, the value and importance of estuaries and Aquatic Preserves, and ask recreational boaters to respect working clam farmers and their equipment. The fifth exhibit consists of two panels describing the long history of oyster cultch planting in Apalachicola Bay and the value and importance of the Bay as a biological and ecological treasure.

Exhibits are located at Alligator Harbor in Franklin County, Jorgensen Boat Ramp in Brevard County, Ainger Boat Ramp in Charlotte County, Pine Island Commercial Marina in Lee County, and 10 Foot Hole Boat Ramp and Marina in Apalachicola, Franklin County.

Funding for the exhibits was provided in part by the Florida Coastal Management Program, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture.