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Wood-eating shipworms may soon be farmed for shipworm-eating humans
https://newatlas.com/ ^ | November 20, 2023 | Ben Coxworth

Posted on 11/21/2023 7:26:10 PM PST by Jonty30

For centuries, shipworms have vexed mariners by boring into – and consuming – the hulls of wooden ships and boats. Soon, though, we may actually be eating those "worms," as they have successfully been farmed for the first time.

Scientifically known as teredinids, shipworms are actually a type of bivalve mollusk.

This means they're related to clams, mussels and oysters. Because they spend their lives protected inside the wood that they eat, however, they only have a tiny shell at their front end, where it aids in the wood-boring process.

In the Philippines, shipworms are already wild-harvested and sold as a delicacy. They're said to taste like oysters. According to scientists from the universities of Plymouth and Cambridge, they also contain much more vitamin B12 than most mollusks.

They also grow faster than any other bivalve, due to the fact that they don't have to put much energy into generating their minuscule shell. In just six months, they can reach a length of about 30 cm (12 in). By contrast, mussels and oysters – with their much larger shells – may take up to two years to grow to a harvestable size.

With these attributes in mind, a team led by U Plymouth's Dr. Reuben Shipway and U Cambridge's Dr. David Willer has developed a modular aquaculture system for growing shipworms in locations far from the sea. This means that any waste won't disperse into the surrounding ocean, which is an environmental concern with marine fish farms.

(Excerpt) Read more at newatlas.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: barf; eatzeebugz; food; shipworms; worms
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Yum. The future sounds so denutrionalized.
1 posted on 11/21/2023 7:26:10 PM PST by Jonty30
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To: Jonty30

I say we cut down all the rain forests so that the ship worms have lots of food so that We The Peasants can eat nothing but worms. It may sound totally Utopian, but we can do it!!!!!


2 posted on 11/21/2023 7:28:26 PM PST by ClearCase_guy
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To: Jonty30

That title is quite the tongue twister.
Say it fast 4 times.


3 posted on 11/21/2023 7:30:52 PM PST by right way right (May we remain sober over mere men, for God really is our only true hope. )
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To: ClearCase_guy

As the Klingons would say, “Gak!”


4 posted on 11/21/2023 7:31:50 PM PST by Jonty30 (It turns out that I did not buy my cell phone for all the calls I might be missing at home.)
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To: Jonty30

Ship worms are why wooden ships needed copper cladding.

If you are afraid of eating the worms, a tinfoil hat might help.


5 posted on 11/21/2023 7:34:25 PM PST by x
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To: x

Personally, I’m thinking of the lack of nutritional value. How nutritious can a worm be whose sole source of nutrition for it is wood pulp?


6 posted on 11/21/2023 7:35:56 PM PST by Jonty30 (It turns out that I did not buy my cell phone for all the calls I might be missing at home.)
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To: Jonty30

“Got Worms?”


7 posted on 11/21/2023 7:36:02 PM PST by Bob434
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To: Jonty30

They should definitely change the name; even vers de navire sounds better— at least in English. (It’s a very literal translation!)


8 posted on 11/21/2023 7:37:44 PM PST by Chicory
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To: x
Ship worms are why wooden ships needed copper cladding.



"Claude Cooper from Cleveland copped the copper cladding."

9 posted on 11/21/2023 7:38:48 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Jonty30

What’s keeping elitist liberal democrats from eating worms and insects now? In no way should they be eating any meats. They have the money and resources so they should set a good example. Stop being hypocrites and step up. Same for AOC and all the other democrats in congress.


10 posted on 11/21/2023 7:44:41 PM PST by boycott
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To: Jonty30
Scientifically known as teredinids, shipworms are actually a type of bivalve mollusk. This means they're related to clams, mussels and oysters. Because they spend their lives protected inside the wood that they eat, however, they only have a tiny shell at their front end, where it aids in the wood-boring process. In the Philippines, shipworms are already wild-harvested and sold as a delicacy. They're said to taste like oysters.

Well...there was very little danger of me eating these and even less after seeing that.

And apparently the author needs to taste so he can speak for himself and not just speculate...

11 posted on 11/21/2023 7:56:09 PM PST by Republican Wildcat
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To: Jonty30

Yummy!

12 posted on 11/21/2023 8:03:36 PM PST by Sooth2222 (“Toute nation a le gouvernement qu’elle mérite.” /"Every nation has the government it deserves.” )
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To: Jonty30

How nutritious can an animal be whose sole source of nutrition is dried grass?


13 posted on 11/21/2023 9:27:36 PM PST by TigersEye (Our Republic is under seige by globalist Marxists. Hold fast!)
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To: TigersEye

I suspect that there is more nutrition n grass than wood pulp.


14 posted on 11/21/2023 9:29:29 PM PST by Jonty30 (It turns out that I did not buy my cell phone for all the calls I might be missing at home.)
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To: Jonty30
You'd be wrong. Both wood and grass are mostly cellulose. ie starch.

Is Wood Edible? You Might Be Surprised…

15 posted on 11/21/2023 9:41:23 PM PST by TigersEye (Our Republic is under seige by globalist Marxists. Hold fast!)
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To: TigersEye

You can have mine.


16 posted on 11/21/2023 9:43:45 PM PST by Jonty30 (It turns out that I did not buy my cell phone for all the calls I might be missing at home.)
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To: Jonty30

Do you think clams, mussels and oysters are not nutritious?


17 posted on 11/21/2023 9:48:48 PM PST by TigersEye (Our Republic is under seige by globalist Marxists. Hold fast!)
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To: TigersEye

I know they are considered Biblically unclean.
I have never had a clam or mussel or oyster.

Not my thing.
The thing about worms, is that those pushing are not doing it to ensure our health, but our debasement. They will still be eating beef and all the fine meats. It’s really about ensuring their place in society as elites and the rest of us not having access to what they will be having.

The sooner we turn into human sludges with minimal but servieable IQ’s and fit for only menial labour, the happier our elites will be.


18 posted on 11/21/2023 9:53:12 PM PST by Jonty30 (It turns out that I did not buy my cell phone for all the calls I might be missing at home.)
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To: Jonty30

Eat whatever you like but I don’t think that is where this is coming from.

These really aren’t worms. As the article says they are mollusks and would likely be cheaper than the other kinds of mollusks. Something the millions of people who like mollusks might appreciate.

Not everything is a WEF plan.

I love smoked oysters!


19 posted on 11/21/2023 10:01:59 PM PST by TigersEye (Our Republic is under seige by globalist Marxists. Hold fast!)
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To: TigersEye

You can have mine. I don’t think they want us to eat it because it is better in any way. If they are any good, give them to the pigs and cows that we eat and let them process it into something useful for us.

I can’t imagine anybody looking at these things and thinking that they would sell in bulk.

I’m open to many things, including eating crickets or ants. However, there has to be measurable benefits nutritionally and not harmful to us.


20 posted on 11/21/2023 10:05:28 PM PST by Jonty30 (It turns out that I did not buy my cell phone for all the calls I might be missing at home.)
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