Georgia Public Broadcasting

fish shellfish and sea mammals

Bottomfeeders

Production: 
brightcove_ref_id: 
GAOD_1307
Featured Episode: 
off
Upcoming Episode: 
off
episode_tease: 

Though we most often find shellfish on the dinner table, aquatic invertebrates are abundant in Georgia's underwater communities. More than underwater bugs, crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, and crayfish are essential parts of the aquatic food chain. And mollusks like clams, oysters, and mussels provide an additional service to the ecosystem by filtering water and acting as an indicator species. A healthy population means a healthy environment.

Description: 

Though we most often find shellfish on the dinner table, aquatic invertebrates are abundant in Georgia's underwater communities. More than underwater bugs, crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, and crayfish are essential parts of the aquatic food chain. And mollusks like clams, oysters, and mussels provide an additional service to the ecosystem by filtering water and acting as an indicator species. A healthy population means a healthy environment.

Join us as we explore Georgia's shellfish. We'll visit a clam farm and harvest oysters on the coast, and explore the techniques and methods of shrimping and crabbing recreationally in Georgia. We'll also see how the flow of water through rivers and streams impacts their life cycle.

Finally, we'll show you what it takes to dig for burrowing crayfish, and have a rare look at the fascinating underwater behavior of endangered freshwater mussels. You'll be surprised by the lengths these bottom dwelling species go to for reproduction!


Related Links

www.gofishgeorgia.com
You can buy your Georgia hunting or fishing license by phone, by mail or online.


Regulations on shrimping and crabbing in Georgia, Regulations for oyster and clam harvests in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the regulation of Georgia's Fisheries.


clam mariculture program
The UGA Marine Extension Center provides more information about its clam mariculture program.


www.blue-crab.org
From the blue crabs lifecycle to favorite recipes this, website provides all kinds of information about blue crabs.


Crayfishworld
Everything you ever wanted to know about crayfish.


report
Want to learn more about freshwater mussels? Read this report on the Status of Aquatic Mollusks in the Southeastern United States.


www.aboutseafood.com
For tips on cooking shellfish


Additional Resources

Recreational shellfish harvest areas are located in Chatam County, Glynn County, McIntosh County, and Camden County.


PDF Transcript

episode_airdate: 
Friday, January 17, 2003 - 2:30pm

Fishing For Striper

Production: 
brightcove_ref_id: 
GAOD_303
Featured Episode: 
off
Upcoming Episode: 
off
Full Image Photo Credit: 
Tim Barrett and Gabe Gaddis with a striped bass on the Savannah River
episode_tease: 

From the mixing bowl to the serving plate, we'll explore the life cycle of the striped bass. Come with us to Richmond Hill Hatchery near Savannah, Georgia and learn more about how these fish spawn and how they are distributed throughout the state.

Description: 

From the mixing bowl to the serving plate, we'll explore the life cycle of the striped bass. Come with us to Richmond Hill Hatchery near Savannah, Georgia and learn more about how these fish spawn and how they are distributed throughout the state.


The Savannah River striped bass population was once the largest in Georgia. Their population drastically declined in the 1980s due to habitat alterations in flow patterns and salinity levels. Tim Barrett and Gabe Gaddis are two biologists ready to get their hands wet and check it out for themselves on the Savannah River.


Striper fishing is popular on the some of reservoirs of Georgia. We'll troll Lake Lanier with Randy Edwards, a veteran striper fishing guide, and Ken Duke an editor for Game and Fish Magazine and an avid bass fisherman.

episode_airdate: 
Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 3:30pm