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open estuarine areas. Mercenaria mercenaria is also found in conjunction 

 with oysters or other environmentally favorable areas that are protected by 

 overlying shells. Predation of juveniles by blue crabs, stone crab, and 

 other xanthid crabs appears to be a major inhibitor to proliferation in areas 

 with no overlying protection. About 15% (1,035 acres) of the State's esti- 

 mated clam bottoms are closed by fecal coliform pollution. Public clam 

 bottoms (1,418 acres) make up 21% of the estimated total. The remaining 

 acreage is leased for commercial shellfish production. The Santee River 

 estuary clam population is apparently adapted to low salinities. Highest 

 concentrations are in areas of shell and sand substrate and less severe wave 

 action. The fishery is expected to be maintained by managing fishing effort 

 and rotating harvest areas. However, the proposed Cooper River rediversion 

 project may cause commercial extinction of the clam fishery from major 

 changes in the estuarine salinity regime. The report is illustrated with 

 excellent figures, including one that shows that about 50% of all clams 

 sampled were at about 2 meters depth, with less than 10% at depths greater 

 than 5 meters, and that over half of clams sampled were littlenecks. - J.L.M. 



Anderson, William D., Willis J. Keith, F. Holland Mills, Michael E. Bailey, and 

 John L. Steinmeyer. 1979. 



A comprehensive survey of South Carolina's hard clam resources. Proc . Natl. 

 Shellf. Assn. 69: 201 (abstract). 



Hydraulic patent tongs were used to inventory South Carolina's hard clam 

 standing crop. In the 4 yr survey (1973-1977) 35,922 yd 2 (30,031 m 2 ) samples 

 were taken. An estimated 6,809 acres (2,756 ha) of clam bottoms were found. 

 Highest clam densities and 78% of total clams sampled were found in a mix- 

 ture of shell and sand substrate. Initial survey results in fall 1973 and 

 early 19 74 discovered high density populations in the Santee River estuary. 

 Seven permits are issued annually and harvesting is managed by the Division 

 of Marine Resources. Since the 1974-75 clam season, South Carolina's hard 

 clam ex-vessel revenue has exceeded the pre-survey annual average production 

 by six times. - J.L.M. 



Andrews, Jay D. 19 55. 



Notes on fungus parasites of bivalve mollusks in Chesapeake Bay. Proc. 

 Natl. Shellf. Assn. 45: 157-163. 



In Aug 1953 the meat of a dead hard clam was found infected with a fungus 

 similar to Dermocystidium marinum , a fungus that causes mortality in 

 American oyster. - J.L.M. 



Andrews, J. D. 19 56. 



Annotated checklist of mollusks of Chesapeake Bay. Unpub. ms . , 10 p. 



We assume that this manuscript contains reference to Mercenaria mercenaria. 

 - J.L.M. 



Andrews, J. D. 1966. 



Problems in shellfish production. Proc. Natl. Shellf. Assn. 57: 9-10. 



Andrews, J. D. 1970. 



Climatic and ecological settings for growing shellfish. In Proc Conf on 

 Artificial Propag. of Commercially Valuable Shellfish - Oysters Coll 

 Mar. Stud., Univ. Del., Newark, p. 97-107. 



On the mid-Atlantic coast of N. America the environment of estuarine 

 shellfishes is rigorous. Temps range from 0° to 30°C and salinities vary 

 by 10°/°° to 15°/°° annually and up to 5°/°° in a tidal cycle. These regular 

 changes are augmented by droughts, flash floods, and hurricanes. Drastic 

 changes in temp and salinity of coastal waters are produced by effects of 



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