Sarasota Bay Watch resumes clam distribution

After months off the water, the Sarasota Bay Watch is back at it with clam distributions in an effort to help the bay stay healthy. 

On Sept. 26, several boats and a barge took masked volunteers out to drop several bushels of clams at a predetermined spot in the bay. This acted as a test run, said Sarasota Bay Watch program director Ronda Ryan, and over the season they hope to deposit 750,000 clams in the bay via monthly trips.

Clams, which filter the water and help ensure a healthier bay, live about 30 years are quite sturdy and are not as susceptible to dying from red tide as scallops are, which is what Sarasota Bay Watch previously dropped into the bay. 

Participants included New College students, Mote scientists and student volunteers from Riverview High School getting community service hours. Mote senior biologist Kim Bassos-Hull is using acoustic devices to gather information on the amount of predation of the clams — the quieter it is, the less life is present. 

"We want to learn how to be successful (with these projects)," Bassos-Hull said. 

Anyone interested in helping out can contact Ryan at 232-2363.