619 



Furfari, S. A. 1976. 



Report on shellfish purification points up need for more research. Comm. 

 Fish Farmer 2(6): 40-41. 



This is a summary of a paper delivered at the World Technological Conference 

 on Aquaculture held in Kyoto, Japan, 26 May to 2 June 1976. Viral 

 accumulation and depletion rates follow those of coliform organisms for the 

 species studied. Removal of virus is no longer an issue. The crux of the 

 matter is the initial level of virus in the mollusk. Controlled purification 

 of molluscan shellfish is an integral and mandatory part of shellfish 

 industries in England, France, and Spain. It has been used sporadically in 

 Portugal, Japan, and Canada, but has never been an important part of the 

 shellfish industry in the United States. Commercial purification plants have 

 been used for Mercenaria mercenaries and other species. There has been 

 distrust of the value of viral depuration, especially of hepatitis, but 

 commercial and pilot purification plants in the U.S. and Canada have 

 demonstrated the economic, technical, and biological feasibility of the 

 process. - J.L.M. 



620 



Furman, Edwin, John German, George King, Stephen Lane, Richard Miller, and 

 Nelson Slager. 1975. 



Attitudes and issues raised by the industry. In Proceedings of a Workshop 

 on the Shellfish Management Program in New York State. N.Y.S. Dept. Envir. 

 Conserv. and N.Y. Sea Grant Inst.,- Albany, p. 48-50. 



This paper is a summary, prepared by the editors of the volume, of issues 

 discussed by the panel named above. Depuration was a controversial issue. 

 Some endorsed it as a means of making a tremendous food resource available 

 for harvest and consumption, others opposed it as a process that has not 

 been completely proven and offers potential for a shellfish-related outbreak 

 of disease. There were also concerns about effects on the market, either 

 through overproduction or through loss of consumer confidence. Opinion was 

 equally and bitterly divided on the issue of leasing bottom to private 

 planters. The Department believes that a leasing policy should be found 

 that will be beneficial to both segments of industry. Almost all 

 participants recognized pollution as a serious problem. The need to halt 

 progressive closure of grounds and to reverse the trend was stressed. Some 

 evidence of increasing salinities in shellfish areas has raised fears of 

 reduced setting and increased predation. The role of increased sewage 

 treatment and discharge of liquid wastes into the ocean as a factor in 

 reduced groundwater flow into the bays needs attention. Illegal export of 

 "seed" clams (clams under 1-inch thick) to Pennsylvania was noted as a 

 problem that needs correction. Improved law enforcement was noted with 

 approval, but action in courts needs tightening. Transplanting programs 

 were endorsed and expansion was recommended. - J.L.M. 



621 



Futch, C. R., and J. M. Torpey. 1966. 



Florida clams, a resource with a future. Fla. Bd. Conserv. Mar. Lab., 

 Salt Water Fish. Leaf 1 . 3, 6 p. 



M. mercenaria and M. campechiensis occur in Florida, the first most commonly 

 on the east coast, the second most commonly in the Gulf of Mexico. Adult 

 M. mercenaria are usually 3-5 inches long. A notable characteristic is the 

 smooth central area on the outside of the valves, which are dirty gray to 

 white outside, white inside, usually with purple around the margin. 

 M. campeohiensis is found from Chesapeake Bay to Texas and in Cuba. Adults 

 are 3-6 inches long, with a more rounded, heavier shell with deeper ridges 

 and no smooth area. It also usually lacks purple staining. Spawning begins 

 in April at about 73°F and continues through August. Larvae are planktonic 

 for about 2 weeks. Optimum salinity is 2 0-35°/oo. Hard clams live from 

 near mean high tide to over 50 ft deep, but are most common on shallow water 



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