APPENDIX IIf APPENDIX III 
Product development and processing 
Past clam product development and processing have led to 
expansion of this fishery. Although there are some diffi- 
culties related to product development and processing oppor- 
tunities, as noted previously, there are no major obstacles 
preventing further developments. Labor intensive processing 
for some clam products will continue until it becomes pro- 
fitable to use automatic equipment. 
Market potential 
The major obstacle for market development of clams is 
the adverse effect that paralytic shellfish poisoning has on 
the clam fishery. When a ban on harvesting of shellfish is 
put into effect, public confidence in shellfish products de- 
clines and sales drop significantly in affected areas. Para- 
lytic shellfish poisoning incidents can have severe results 
on the clam fishery. 
Presently, canned clam products from Alaska cannot com- 
pete with the lower cost, east coast canned clams because of 
Alaska's higher cost of harvesting and processing. 
63 
