Last month we headed down to North Wildwood in New Jersey for some much needed rest and relaxation. Every time we go down I take along my “shelling kit” so that we can go shelling while we’re there. One of the best areas for shelling is in North Wildwood on the beach behind the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse during low tide.
If you’re looking to collect Whelk Shells, often called Conch Shells you’ll need to look for them during the low tide and while wading through the tide pools. If you find shells that are still occupied with a live animal then I recommend putting them back where you found them. If you plan on cooking them up and consuming the meat…that’s fine with me but please don’t harm the animal just to collect the shell.
Conch, Whelk and Seashell Cleaning Tips
1. Rinse all collected shells with the ocean water before leaving the beach. I place mine in netted and mesh bags. Let the water drain out. This will make transporting them a lot easier. You want to try to remove the caked-on sand.
2. Once back in your room or at home you will need to rinse them thoroughly with fresh water to remove the saltwater and sand. If there is a deceased animal still occupying the shell you need to remove it. I like to do that by filling up a large pot with water and bringing it to a boil. Place shells inside. Simmer on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Turn off heat. Carefully remove the hot shell and place it into the sink. Let it cool until you can safely handle it. Use a fork or large spoon to nudge the animal out. Discard in trash. You’ll want to remove your trash once done as it will stink up the entire house with a strong rotten fishy smell.
3. Fill up the sink with warm soapy water. I like to use Dawn liquid dish soap. It’s the best for removing grime, dirt, sandy and fishy odors from the now empty shell. Let them soak in the soapy water for 15-30 minutes. Use an old toothbrush or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to help dislodge any debris or sand. Rinse under clean water.
4. Lay your shells out on an old towel to air dry. I like to take them outside into the sunshine and fresh air for this process.
5. If you’re traveling you’ll want to pack dry shells in old towels, cotton socks, plastic bubble wrap, etc. to protect them for the ride home. Don’t wrap them in newspaper as the ink can bleed onto your shells!
6. After 48 hours I like to preserve mine by spraying them with 2 or 3 coats of a clear acrylic spray sealer in a glossy finish. Do it outdoors and allow 1 hour between each coat, flipping the seashell around so that you get all sides. Let thoroughly dry. You can now display them inside or outside your home!
Shelly’s Shelling Kit: My kit contains several mesh and netted bags, rubber gloves, liquid dish soap, old styrofoam cooler (for transport), old socks (easy to slip seashells into for transport), old cotton towels, old toothbrush, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, large tablespoon and sharp fork (for removing deceased animals), etc. I keep all of my shelling items stored in the styrofoam cooler. I use this type of cooler because I can clean it easier and/or toss it when done. A sturdy cardboard or plastic box would work equally as well.
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