College Relations
Eagle Scout project yields encouraging results for North Shore clamming industry
CONTACT --- Jim Glynn at 978-542-7519 or james.glynn@salemstate.edu
 SALEM - Using over 500,000 baby clams provided by Salem State College's Aquaculture Center, a 17-year-old Scout from Rowley is nearing the end of a four-month experiment that is showing "extraordinary results."
Chuck Hazen, a senior at Triton Regional High School, has cared for "seed" clams in a controlled environment under the public docks in Rowley since June. Every Wednesday and Saturday he transplants some of those baby clams, now about 15 millimeters in diameter, into their natural environment. And the survival rate, according to Rowley Shellfish Constable Jack Grunstrom, "is extraordinary."
"The question before the experiment was, 'Can you successfully harvest small seed clams on the North Shore Shore?'" said Grunstrom. "The answer is, 'yes.'"
Hazen and volunteer Scouts in Rowley have logged an estimated 150 hours maintaining and cleaning the "flupseys" that keep the young clams protected from predators under the public dock Rowley. "The young clams eat constantly," Hazen said. "The flupseys allow the ocean water to provide constant food while protecting them."
"It's really a research project for the clamming industry," he added. "Maybe it will help regulate and modernize clamming."
Hazen said the Marine Resource Advisory Board of Rowley is hoping this experiment will promote the shellfish business in Rowley as well as "convert a dwindling population of clams into a thriving part of the environment."
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