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: Megan Davis, Ph.D. – 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