Clam Cam

Clams are an iconic species within coastal regions of Maine and Wabanaki homelands. But do you know what it takes to get clams from the mud to the market and finally to your plate? This is a question we heard clammers ask as they wanted to help make this fishery more visible. We have been working with clammers along the coast of Maine to develop engaged digital media approaches to enhance the visibility of this fishery and raise awareness about what clamming is and why it matters within coastal communities. We call this approach "Clam Cam" and on this site you will find an early version of our engaged digital media efforts, including a set of videos, photos, and descriptions of clamming in this region.

Because this was a collaborative website, we shared the early version of the site with clammers who had helped produce the videos. Though clammers told us that these videos provided a window into important details about clamming, like the different practices of harvesting, where clammers dig, the objects and tools they use, and the rhythms of this way of life, the website was missing important contextual details about intertidal mudflat ecosystems, Maine’s municipal shellfish programs, and Wabanaki and intergenerational histories of clamming in this region. We listened to this feedback and in response created a new website:

The Mudflat

We encourage you to enjoy the rhythmic videos on this early Clam Cam site and then check out expanded content on The Mudflat. Happy clamming!

This is what Clam Cam looks like. Clammers wear a small video camera on their chest and conduct their work as usual.