How Are 120 Million Clams Farmed on Florida’s Gulf Coast?

Описание: Discover how clams are farmed, grown, and harvested along Florida’s Gulf Coast from hatchery to table.

In the very first episode, I traveled to Cedar Key, Florida, to document the people and the process behind one of the most important hard clam farming communities in the United States.

Cedar Key produces over 90% of Florida’s farmed hard clams, making it a key player in sustainable aquaculture. Through time spent on the water and conversations with local farmers, this film follows the full clam farming process: hatchery, nursery, grow-out, harvest, and explores how clams support coastal ecosystems as natural filter feeders.

From farming techniques and environmental benefits to sorting, cleaning, and enjoying clams, this is a grounded look at where seafood comes from and the people who make it possible!

00:00 - Introduction
0:12 - Clam farming explained
1:39 - Hard clams (Mercenaria Mercenaria)
2:56 - Hatchery, nursery & grow-out stages
6:36 - Farmers out on the boat
8:58 - Fun Fact
9:12 - Chat with Captain Bobby
10:32 - Sustainable seafood & aquaculture
11:50 - How clams are harvested, cleaned & cooked
14:22 - Knowing your source
15:13 - Restoration project
15:35 - Cedar Key aquaculture
16:00 - Cedar Key Farmer Culture
16:45 - Special Thanks

Topics covered in this video: Clam farming explained - Hard clams (Mercenaria Mercenaria) - Cedar Key aquaculture - Hatchery, nursery & grow-out stages - Sustainable seafood & aquaculture - Environmental benefits of clams - How clams are harvested, cleaned & cooked

📍 Filmed in Cedar Key, Florida - August 2025

About the Host
I’m Serena and through How we __, I’ll be sharing my explorations. Uncovering origins, telling their stories, introducing you to the people and the hands behind your favourite ingredients, cooking alongside you, and inviting you on a journey across cultures and continents.

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Special thanks to
Captain Bobby - https://captbobby.com/
Tim Solano & Cedar Key Aquaculture - https://www.cedarkeyclams.com/
for your warm hospitality
Cedar Key - https://www.visitflorida.com/places-t...

On this journey

Producer & Host
Serena Hammoud

Videographer
Enrique Sanchez

Editor/Animator
Jean Paul Zougheib

Graphics
Ramzi Ouayda

VO Sound Engineer
Lana Hammoud

Sources:
FAO – Bivalve Molluscs https://www.fao.org/4/y5720e/y5720e07...

Encyclopaedia Britannica – Bivalve https://www.britannica.com/animal/biv...

NOAA Ocean Service – What are bivalves? https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/b...

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution – Can clams help clean waterways? https://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/...

Healthline – Shellfish Nutrition https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/...

University of Florida IFAS – Biology and Culture of the Hard Clam https://shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/wp-con...

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Hard Clams https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/...

Florida Department of Agriculture – Shellfish Aquaculture https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Ind...

Global Seafood Alliance – Florida Clam Farming Community https://www.globalseafood.org/advocat...

Hak ai Magazine – Clamshell Currency https://hakaimagazine.com/article-sho...

Visit Florida – Cedar Key https://www.visitflorida.com/places-t...

Back to the Bays – Clam Lifecycle https://backtothebays.org/blog/2022/c...

Uwajimaya – Manila Clam Guide https://www.uwajimaya.com/uwajipedia/...

Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association http://www.flaclams.com/

Penn Cove Shellfish http://www.penncoveshellfish.com/