Cynthia Barnett, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Environmental Journalist-in-Residence, is the author of “One of the World’s Biggest Sea Snails at Risk of Extinction” published in National Geographic on April 6.

The story focuses on Horse Conchs, the marine snails that build Florida’s colossal state seashell. According to the story, the iconic animals live shorter lives and reproduce later than previously understood which warned that the Gulf of Mexico population could be nearing collapse.

Barnett adds, “Growing environmental awareness has helped shell-dwellers, as ethical beachgoers leave live shells on the shore. A few coastal local governments in Florida, led by Sanibel Island, also have banned or limited live shelling. But along most of the coast, horse conchs are still intensely harvested for the aquarium market or curio trade. The findings suggest the conchs would benefit from harvesting limits, including minimum sizes to allow at least one spawning and maximum sizes to protect the most productive breeding females.”

Barnett, who teaches Environmental Journalism, is the author of the 2021 book The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of the Oceans, which will be out in paperback in July.

Posted: April 8, 2022
Category: Alumni News, College News
Tagged as: Cynthia Barnett, National Geographic