Saturday marks the eighth edition of the Great Shell Counting Day, where ten coastal locations will host events to count beach shells.
This year’s focus is on the cockle, also known as the heart shell, according to the Flemish Institute for the Sea (VLIZ), which is coordinating the event.
The cockle is a ribbed shell that frequently appears on our coast. It is consistently among the top five most counted shells, alongside the Baltic tellin, the striped Venus, the blue mussel and the American razor clam.
On Saturday, there will be ten counting stations, one in each coastal municipality. Experts will be available to help participants collect, identify, and count beach shells. They will also teach participants how to determine the age of a cockle by its growth lines and how to identify different species of cockles.
Those who want to participate can simply go to one of the counting stations. No prior registration is required.
The Great Shell Counting Day is a citizen science initiative. The counts contribute valuable scientific data, providing insights into the distribution of these marine animals, the impact of climate change, and the presence of exotic species, according to the event’s website, www.groteschelpenteldag.be.
Shell counting will also take place in the Netherlands, France, and Scotland on Saturday.
This year, the Great Shell Counting Day is part of Water Week, an initiative aimed at promoting water awareness and admiration. Water Week, running from 22 to 30 March, includes clean-up actions, treasure hunts for aquatic animals, sports challenges, exhibitions, and workshops.
