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Bits and Bites and Clams on Discovery

  • Capt Blair Wiggins
  • Mar 21, 2019
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jan 4, 2020


IRL Clam Restoration Project with CCA Florida

A few months back, me and the AF crew were fishing in the Mosquito and Indian River Lagoon filming an episode with Capt. Leiza Fitzgerald of CCA Florida. We caught 2 very small fish in the 2 days we were there filming. I've witnessed so many drastic and devastating changes to this estuary, for example; brown algae, no grass, no horseshoe crabs, few manatees, and overall dirty water. I left that shoot heartbroken and knew something needed to be done immediately. Parts of that day of filming are in this week's episode on Discovery Channel, airing Saturday, March 23rd at 7 a.m. The episode is called "Bits & Bites" so don't miss it!

CCA Florida IRL Clam Restoration Meeting

I called my partners, Kevin and Patrice McCabe immediately after that shoot, and they began looking to assemble a team of experts to help turn the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) system around. Things moved quickly, and a team has been put together which includes the CCA of Florida, FWC and University of Florida and a proposal for clam restoration was written. The goal of the project is to establish significant clam beds in the lagoon again and to support long-term growth of the clams.

Capt Blair Wiggins CCA Florida IRL Clam Restoration Meeting

Some of y'all might remember me telling you about a meeting we held in Orlando at the CCA offices last August. It was our job when we left that meeting to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. We did and the project is full steam ahead!! AF partners Star Brite and Dick's Sporting Goods were the first to respond with initial checks cut by both companies, sent to Whitney Labs at the University of Florida, and we were able to get the donation link on the website established.

Kevin McCabe CCA Florida IRL Clam Restoration Meeting

Donations and grants have been coming in since August, and now we're on to the next step: To gather super clams from the local areas that have made it through the brown algae bloom, bring them back to the Whitney Lab in St. Augustine to study and create a brood stock.

Capt Blair Wiggins Holding a Clam

We need your help!! We need you to get the word out, share this project and DONATE. We need to bring the clams back to save this estuary. Please DONATE.

Until next week . . . tight lines,

Capt. Blair

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