In the early 1990’s Floridian commercial fisherman were effectively put out of business by the federal government. Long line monofilament netting was banned and an industry that had thrived in the southeastern United States was shut down.

In an effort to redress the new economic reality facing the aquaculture industry in Florida, the federal government began a retraining program of the former fishermen. Basically a new industry was born – that of clam farming. Clams were purchased as seedlings and then planted, or farmed through its lifespan until the mollusk was large enough to sell to the restaurant and seafood industry (think Progresso clam sauce).

The challenge facing the clam farmer was clam containment. How did one plant his clams in the sand and contain them in one grouping? An initial planting could contain many thousands of clams no bigger thank 1 mm. The clam itself under properly tended conditions would grow rapidly from a 1 mm seedling to a 9 – 12 mm bivalve ready for harvesting.

Jason Mills’s provided the answer. Our fabrics were specially developed to follow every stage of the clam growth cycle. Beginning as a 1 mm seedling and progressing through the 3 – 4 mm mid range span and finally ready to go to market at 9 – 12 mm, we manufactured fabrics with specific hole openings and widths to serve each of those cycles. The farmers would have our fabric sewn into bags where they would be planted into the salient soil. As the clams grew they were transferred to the bag with the next biggest opening.

This is just one example where Jason Mills’ products fill a need. Contact us today to see how we can help you.