CHAPTER 27 

 The Clam Industry of the United States 



Introduction 



Of all the shellfish of United States coastal waters clams are one of the most 

 popular. The variety of clam products, available in nearly all sections of the 

 United States, and the delicate "tangy" clam flavor are almost universally en- 

 joyed by the consuming public. This salt-water bi-valve is available in a variety 

 of forms as "clam nectar," "clam broth," "minced clams," "clam chowder," and 

 frozen and fresh clams, all of which have served to popularize it even in those 

 areas far removed from points of production. In the areas where clam flats are 

 common it is even more popular because the amateur can dig them fresh each day. 



There are few who have visited New England seaside resorts who have not 

 experienced the delights of the "clam bake," where corn, potatoes, and other sea 

 foods are often roasted together with clams in a hole lined with hot stones and 

 covered with fresh seaweed. The clam bake in this section of the country may be 

 compared with the barbecue in the interior areas. 



Commercial Importance 



Although clams have long been recognized as articles of food, only in recent 

 years have they been highly esteemed. In the United States clams are eaten chiefly 

 by inhabitants of the Atlantic Coastal states. Recently clams have become popular 

 as a food on the Pacific Coast, and an important industry has been developed in 

 that region. Small hard clams, called "littlenecks," have become very popular 

 in New England and are eaten both raw and steamed in the shell, as well as fried 

 in deep fat. Comparatively small quantities of fresh clams are shipped from the 

 Atlantic Coast to inland cities. 



Maine and Massachusetts possess the most important clam fisheries, and each 

 produces over 5/2 million pounds a year. Other states which have important clam 

 fisheries are Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, and Washing- 

 ton. New England produces soft clams chiefly. South of New York the hard clam 

 is the only commercial clam of importance. The razor clam is the most important 

 clam in Washington and Oregon. The annual production of canned clams almost 

 equals in value the total quantity of clams marketed fresh. The latest available 

 statistics on the clam industry of the United States are presented in Tables 124, 125, 

 and 126 (pp. 576-577). 



Species Commercially Utilized 



Two important species of clams are found on the Atlantic Coast of North 

 America: Mya arenaria, the soft clam; and Venus mercenaria, the hard clam or 

 quahog. The large surf clam (Mactra solidissima) was formerly used as bait and 



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