Imagine snorkeling in the Bahamas, encountering a queen conch, and dedicating your life to saving this species. Dr. Megan Davis shares her 50-year journey from childhood fascination to leading queen conch restoration efforts throughout the Caribbean.

In This Episode:

Guest Speaker: Dr.Megan Davis– Research Professor, Florida Atlantic University, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Queen Conch Lab

Host: Mike Coogan, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor, Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems, University of New Hampshire

Co-Host: Mike Chambers, Ph.D. Aquaculture Research Professor at the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the life cycle and breeding habits of queen conch, including their internal fertilization and egg-laying process.
• Explore the importance of seagrass beds for queen conch habitats and their role in carbon sequestration.
• Learn about queen conch restoration efforts in the Caribbean through mobile laboratories and community involvement.
• Identify the challenges in establishing hatcheries, including site selection and water quality.
• Consider the potential for queen conch farming, including grow-out areas, stocking densities, and pearl production.

Resources Mentioned:

• Florida Atlantic University
• Queen Conch Lab
• NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC)
• Conservacion Con Ciencia (Raymundo Espinoza)
• Saltonstall-Kennedy Grants
• Community-Based Mobile Hatcheries and Nurseries
• eConch Online Course

Connect With [Guest/Host]:

• Dr. Megan Davis, Florida Atlantic University
• Mike Coogan (University of New Hampshire/Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems)
• Michael Chambers (University of New Hampshire/Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems)

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Featured Quotes:

• Megan Davis: “It was that very moment that I met the queen conch that I knew that was going to be the species I was going to work with for my entire career.”
• Megan Davis: “We wanted to take a very holistic approach…for the sake of the species, for the ecosystem, and also for the people who depend on the fishery.”

Behind the Story:

Dr. Megan Davis recounts her early experiences with queen conch in the Bahamas, sparking a lifelong passion for their conservation. From witnessing overfishing in the Caribbean to pioneering aquaculture techniques, her journey culminates in establishing mobile hatcheries across multiple islands, empowering local communities to restore queen conch populations.

Share This Episode:

Learn how queen conch aquaculture is saving Caribbean ecosystems on the latest Get Aquacultured! podcast. #aquaculture #conservation #queenconch