FAU Harbor Branch Launches Major Queen Conch Sustainability Study
The Treasure Coast is home to some of the world’s most advanced marine research, and Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) continues to lead the way in ocean conservation. Based just south of Vero Beach in Fort Pierce, the institute has announced a significant new initiative spearheaded by its renowned Queen Conch Lab.
FAU Harbor Branch has been awarded a grant from Blue Carbon Plus (BC+) to conduct a comprehensive 12-month feasibility study. The project aims to evaluate the commercial viability of queen conch aquaculture while assessing its environmental impact on seagrass habitats. This study represents a pivotal shift from research to potential commercial application, looking to create a scalable farming model that supports both local economies in the Caribbean and marine ecosystem health.
Bridging Commerce and Conservation
The study, titled “Determining the Commercial Viability of Conch Aquaculture and its Seagrass Impact,” is designed to answer a critical question: Can queen conch farming be profitable while simultaneously restoring the environment? The project is funded by BC+, a collaboration between Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy.
According to the institute, the research will focus on three core objectives:
Strategic Partnerships
To ensure the study addresses real-world industry needs, FAU Harbor Branch has partnered with leading experts in the field. The project involves Innovasea, a global aquaculture company known for advanced fish farming technology, to help design the facilities. Additionally, the institute has engaged the Tidepoint Group to lead the commercialization assessment, bringing decades of global seafood market experience to the table.
In November 2025, representatives from HBOI, BC+, and Innovasea conducted a site visit to Grand Bahama. There, they met with local partners, including the Blue Action Lab, and interviewed fishery stakeholders to align their research with local community needs.
A Leader in Marine Science
Megan Davis, Ph.D., a research professor at FAU Harbor Branch and director of the Queen Conch Lab, emphasized the importance of this study in transforming decades of academic research into a viable industry.
“This feasibility study represents a critical step toward transforming decades of conch aquaculture research into a viable, scalable industry that benefits both people and the environment. By integrating rigorous science with thoughtful farm design and market analysis, we’re working to ensure that queen conch aquaculture can support economic development while actively restoring the seagrass ecosystems this species depends on.”
For residents of Vero Beach and the wider Treasure Coast, this project highlights the global impact of our local scientific community. As HBOI continues to refine these aquaculture models, the results could set a new standard for sustainable seafood production and marine restoration throughout the Caribbean and beyond.
