APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
of hard clams in newly developed markets in California, 
Florida, and Illinois; and clamoto juice, a drink combining 
clam juice and tomato juice. This product can also be used 
as a mixer for cocktails. 
In Alaska the greatest potential market for razor clams 
is the Pacific Northwest and California. This market is 
familiar with the razor clam, and a large institutional 
market for Alaska's fresh and frozen razor clams could be 
easily developed. Presently, a large percentage of the 
clam harvest in Alaska is used for crab bait. 
OBSTACLES FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 
Resource availability and management controls 
Lack of management controls, insufficient data on re- 
source assessment, and pollution have been problems affecting 
clam resource availability. In 1976 an analysis of the surf 
clam MSY by NMFS estimated the amount at about 70 million 
pounds, thus more clearly showing the extent of overfishing 
of clams in years 1973 to 1975 when landings exceeded this 
amount. 
Concern about depleting the inshore part of surf clams, 
generally located within the 3-mile territorial zone, led 
New Jersey industry members in September 1971 to recommend 
strong conservation measures within the State. As a result, 
in November 1971, New Jersey requested that the surf clam 
be considered for participation in the State-Federal Fisher- 
ies Management Program. The matter was discussed with the 
appropriate States in February 1972, but a State-Federal 
Management Committee was not formed until June 1973. This 
delay was partly due to the concentration of the fishery 
at the time in New Jersey and to State and NMFS involvement 
in management programs for the American lobster and northern 
shrimp. The committee established as its goals the conser- 
vation of surf clams and protection of the industry. 
Little coordinated regulation has been achieved to insure 
surf clam conservation. Slow progress in implementing co- 
ordinated management in surf clam fishery has been attri- 
buted to a combination of factors, including lack of funding 
for research and difficulties in obtaining biological infor- 
mation needed for determination of the MSY. Fragmented 
jurisdiction is another problem. The resource is located 
off the coasts of five States with most landings in recent 
years coming from 3 to 15 miles offshore, a distance beyond 
direct State control. Also, the surf clam is a common pro- 
perty resource. More and better vessels have been added to 
the fleet and fishing has increased rapidly. 
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