They can tap into generations of knowledge. People with traditions built around a particular species local to them have a unique ability to make a difference. Seeing how Hozoji Matheson-Margullis (the biodiver our host Yara Elmjouie spoke with near the end of the film) is combining her tribal knowledge and training as a biologist to figure out why the geoduck populations aren’t regenerating as they should, is a sign of hope for the future of this species. To see more great content from AJ+, check out their library on YouTube or give them a follow on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! The Power of Local Resources If you’d like to learn more about the world of geoducks, this article from the Smithsonian is a beautifully written deep dive into this mollusk. (Bonus! We get to hear all about what it tastes like.) This awesome video from AJ+ brings us to Washington state to walk us through this fascinating story of this long-necked clam. Because of this complexity, we’re about to hear a riveting tale with many chapters-connecting a diverse group of minds and skills to support traditions, provide life-saving resources, conserve a species, and end up creating a delicious meal. In order to get the geoduck from the grounds of the Pacific Northwest to plates in Asia, it requires a lot of different people to care about this single clam. So, we’re taking a look at the lives of these clams, the people who rely on them, why they’re so popular in China, and what’s being done to protect them! By no means are geoducks easy to cultivate, and their populations aren’t regenerating as we hope they would. Source: Wikimedia Weighing in at up to 14 pounds, living for over 150 years 2, and armed with a siphon that looks like it would be right at home on an elephant’s face, geoducks are one interesting species of clam.Īnd while they may be tasty, there’s a catch. Because one thing is for sure: this clam has connected and inspired a lot of people already. It may just have you thinking of what’s around you in a new way.

At the same time, we’re celebrating the amazing lengths we’ll go through to protect them. Now, because of their growing popularity in Asia, they’re helping to bring more critical resources into their communities! 1But what goes into making this possible isn’t just a story that celebrates our natural resources. And when the world finds out about what we have and decide that they want in on it too, we’re able to invest the profits back into our local communities!įor the Native American communities living on the west coast of North America, the geoduck (pronounced “gooey-duck”) has been a part of their traditions for generations.

It’s a source of pride, something unique to us. Whatever your home is known for-whether it be shea nuts, corn, maple syrup, or in this case, a giant clam-we tend to rally around it. The geoduck may look a little funny, but this clam isn’t just any delicacy: it’s a ticket to survival for many! Deep-and I’m talkin’ deep-under the sandy shores of the Pacific Northwest lives a unique looking creature that’s attracting attention across the world.

Western geo duck