Method of Establishing Clam Bed Colonies and Mobile Floating Hatchery for Implementing Same

Abstract

A method for establishing a clam bed which includes raising clam larvae in a captive environment in which they are provided with adequate food and habitat requirements and kept isolated from predation by natural predators. In addition, a mobile, floating hatchery/nursery facilitates implementation of the method by providing a captive environment.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A mobile floating vessel for containment and release of captive raised clams into a wild environment, comprising:
 a floatation housing movable through waters upon which the floatation housing is floated such that said floatation housing can be located at a seeding site intended for establishment of a clam bed colony; and   water holding tanks in which clam larvae are maintainable in a live state prior to release, a contents of the water holding tanks, along with at least a portion of said clam larvae, being selectively ventable into the waters upon which the floatation housing is floated whereby said clam larvae are releasable into the waters at a desired developmental stage thereof.