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Anonymous. 1944. 



Culture of hard clams. U.S. Dept . Interior, Fish Wildl. Serv. , Fish. Leaf 1 . 

 72, 2 p. 



This paper was cited as authored by Loosanoff, but his name appears only in 

 the list of publications appended. Venus mereenaria was most abundant from 

 Massachusetts to Virginia, but was found from Maine to Florida, and supported 

 considerable fisheries also in North Carolina and Florida. They live from the 

 intertidal zone to a depth of over 50 ft. Some may spawn at 3 or 4 months of 

 age, but most spawn at one year. Spawning begins when water temp reaches 

 about 7 3°F. Spawning season is longer in the south. Growth is affected by 

 currents, depth, salinity and temp, and bottom materials. Hard clams can 

 feed only when covered with water. Natural beds are found between 10°/oo and 

 28°/oo salinity, and can tolerate normal fluctuation in salinity. Growth is 

 most rapid in warmer waters, hence faster south than north. In northern 

 waters growth is only from May to mid-November. A hard clam farm can yield 

 up to 600 bu of 2 1/2-inch clams/acre/yr . Location of the farm should be 

 based on good water circulation, relatively firm bottom, and be below low 

 tide level (at least 3 ft of water at low tide) . Water should be free of 

 pollution, and well protected from wind and rough water. A nearby source of 

 seed is important. Preparation of the ground for planting should include 

 removal of thick grass, stones, and other debris, and destruction of cockles, 

 conch, and sea stars. Clams are not active at low temp. Therefore, planting 

 should be done in warmer seasons, to avoid exposure to attack by predators. 

 If water circulation is good, up to 25 seed clams can be planted/ft^ of 

 bottom. Some control of seaweeds and predators may be necessary at times 

 before harvesting. - J.L.M. 



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51 



52 



Anonymous. 19 54. 



Paleobiochemistry . Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Inst, of Washington, 

 1954: 97-101. 



Analysis of a recent clam shell from Cape May, N.J. showed that although 

 amino acids were not laid down uniformly throughout the shell, they were 

 present in all portions. Shells of fossils from one locality, including 

 Mereenaria mereenaria, showed qualitative and quantitative differences in 

 amino acid content. - J.L.M. and M.W.S. 



Anonymous. 1957. 



Exploratory fishing for hard clams and finfish in the northeastern Gulf of 

 Mexico. Comm. Fish. Rev. 19(11): 20-21. 



Hard clams (presumably Mereenaria eampechiensis) were taken in small numbers 

 at all stations off the Florida coast between Cape St. George and Gasparilla 

 Island in the 3 to 5 fathom depth range. Best results were off Pass-a-grille 

 and Venice (300 clams, approximately 1 bu/30 min tow). Seventy percent were 

 2 in long (littlenecks) , 30% 3 to 4 in (cherrystones and chowders) . Yield 

 was about 1 gal meats/bu. They were judged to equal the northern species 

 (M. mereenaria) in taste, texture, and size, but keeping quality was poor. 

 - J.L.M. 



Anonymous. 1957. 



Shellfish and sardinelike fish potential explored in eastern Gulf of Mexico 

 (M/V Silver Bay Cruise 2). Comm. Fish. Rev. 19(9): 31. 



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