We’ve taken into account the devastation caused by excessive dredging practices. The underwater world we deeply cherish is being irreversibly damaged as these aggressive methods to harvest clams and other seafood destroy the seafloor habitat and its diverse organism populations.

Dredging for clams and other shellfish involves using a large, heavy net or drag that is pulled along the seafloor to collect clams. The dredge scoops up clams from the sand or mud, which are then brought to the surface for harvesting.

Dredging, specifically bottom trawling, is responsible for discarding about 16 million tons of marine life annually worldwide and is severely degrading around 14% of seas and oceans (Source: United Nations Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services). This destruction doesn't only disrupt the marine ecosystem, but also threatens our food supply chain and economies tied to fishing industries.

Moreover, dredging contributes significantly to climate change, as sediment displacement releases carbon stored on the seafloor. It's estimated that around 1.47 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent are disturbed each year by bottom trawling (Source: Nature journal, 2021).

There are sustainable alternatives available, such as clam aquaculture, which could provide an environmentally sound way of maintaining clam populations for harvest. By supporting these methods, we are investing in a sustainable future for our oceans, the diverse range of life they support, and our planet.

It is time for us to champion policies that limit excessive dredging operations and advocate for responsible clam aquaculture. Please sign this petition to help protect the world we live in today and to create an ocean-healthy future for generations to come.