“CBS Sunday Morning” provided an interesting twist to its annual “Money Show” that aired on April 12.
The “Money Show” puts a focus on all things money for 90 minutes − stories about people, businesses, financial experts − and for one of the stories during this year’s broadcast, something the reporter referred to as “mermaid money.”
That’s right. The program sent a reporter to Southwest Florida to do a story about finding “mermaid money” on Marco Island.
What is mermaid money?
Mermaid money is a clever way for the naming of a sand dollar, something that people who live and visit this part of the world are very familiar with when then comb the beaches looking for shells and other sea life.
The CBS reporter, Martha Tichenor, with her pants rolled up to her knees, spent quality time wading in the waters on the Marco Island shoreline searching for sand dollars She had some help. In her report Tichenor introduced SW Florida naturalist Kristen Williams, who is known as the The Seashell Mermaid on Instagram, where she posts photos of sand dollars to her 190,000 followers.
Throughout the just over four minutes video, Tichenor does a good job of providing scientific details about sand dollars and what makes them stand out in the ecosystem not only here, but also in California, where she also spent time reporting for this segment.
Back on Marco Island, Tichenor visited Shore Goods, a shop on Marco Island where you can by anything and everything sand dollar.
Her inquiring mind wanted to know just how much is an actual sand dollar?
The co-owner of Shore Goods smiled. A (sand) dollar for $9.99 is the going rate in his shop.
Video: CBS News looks for sand dollars on Marco Island
Sand Dollars in Florida: What to know
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), it is important to understand the rules and ethical considerations regarding sand dollars to protect the marine animals.
Key Guidelines for Sand Dollars in Florida, according to the FWC:
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Marco Island’s ‘mermaid money’ focus of popular CBS News program
Reporting by Mark H. Bickel, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
