[1D] Lines/Words
[2D] Pages
[3D] Objects
[4D] Spaces
Case Study
Habitat Optimisation Seeder Tray:
A modular attachment to shellfishing gear for eelgrass preservation
A speculative prototype based on UNSDG 14:
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Background
Eelgrass is a marine seagrass commonly found along the coast of Rhode Island. The plant is an important part of the coastal and estuarine ecosystem:
- Acts as a carbon sink
- Minimises soil erosion
- Provides nursery and habitat
- Improves water quality
So... shellfish?
One of the causes for the decline of eelgrass population is the digging and
raking for shellfish
along the coast.
The initial project goal was to develop an alternative shellfish collection method to preserve eelgrass habitats. However, after conversations with experts at the RI Coastal Resources Management Council and the RI Shellfisherman Association,
I discovered that the population of eelgrass in the state is low to begin with. This meant that developing a new fishing method to protect the eelgrass would be unnecessary, as shellfishing no longer takes place in the regions where it grows.
These conversations steered me to a new goal: Eelgrass restoration.
Concept:
Size regulations for the collection of shellfish lead to some quantity of the daily clam catch to be replaced in the water. Using this as an anchor, the goal of this project is to construct a streamlined method for shellfishermen to apply glue and seeds to the undersized clams. The modified clam thus becomes the carrier of seeds for germination.
Why does this work?
- Clams dig into the soil, giving the seeds the perfect environment to germinate. Hard shell clams, which are especially popular in Rhode Island, burrow just deep enough to provide ideal conditions for ellgrass germination such that they still have access to sunlight.
- Hard shell clams are not damaged by the application of glue.
- The clam stays rooted under the surface until maturation. This means that the current will not blow the seeds away, as it does when they’re planted loosely.
- Clams and eelgrass share a symbiotic relationship: clams prevent algae blooms in water, and eelgrass provide nursery for the clams
Initial Sketches
Prototype
A glue container, with a painted shell motif for ease of use (flexible resin for easy squeeze-out)
; a seed container
User Journey
Attachment to gear on boat
Further development
- Material considerations - how can it be better suited to a boat?
- Mechanism - how can the trays lock into place?
- Modularity and space saving - how can the object and its storage be unified?
- How can we incentivise shellfishers to purchase/use this product?
- Can this be implemented at a legislative level?