Counting Spat in Point Judith

A poem & pictorial by Save The Bay Volunteer Kathleen O'Kula.

Counting Spat in Point Judith

Deep under the bay

Eelgrass leans in slow motion.

Scallops spawn their spat

which we catch in nets,

measure their tiny millimeters,

send them back to grow

and meet them  much later

for dinner.

First you collect the tubes that were floated over the scallop fields.

Then you investigate every millimeter of slimy surface ...

... because the “spat” are really tiny.

And when they’re measured and counted, back they go!

See ya in the kitchen someday, guys!