clearly demonstrated by previous research. A mechanical device for 

 removing predators is suggested. It will require experimentation to make 

 sure it functions efficiently. Cost and benefit studies must also be done 

 to be certain that benefits will ensue. The method must be demonstrated 

 and must clearly be beneficial. Political support will need to be stimulated, 

 and clam production specialists must guide the program. With proper attention, 

 such a program should be successful, when accompanied by other necessary 

 regulations such as protection of small clams. - J.L.M. 



1195 



MacMillan, R. B. 1975. 



Public health significance of shellfish management. 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: 16-24. 



In 1974 N.Y. State issued 8,000 individual shellfish digger permits as well 

 as permits to large shellfish farming operations. The industry reported 

 landing 14.8 million pounds of shellfish (meats) with landed value of $19 

 million. In the early 1920s an outbreak of typhoid fever was traced to 

 shellfish distributed from West Sayville, N.Y. Industry appeals to the 

 federal government for help led to development of the present National 

 Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) . Hard clams in Great South Bay, N.Y. 

 accumulated fecal coliform levels from a norm of 50 MPN/100 g to a level of 

 9,200 MPN/100 g in dry weather in an area where boating and human population 

 density increased on summer weekends. Cooking does not provide complete 

 sterilization of infected clams, and harmful organisms may survive. NSSP, 

 formerly administered by the U.S. Public Health Service, now comes under the 

 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) , in its Shellfish Sanitation Branch. FDA 

 evaluates each State program for compliance with the NSSP Manual of 

 Operations. It also issues monthly a certified list of shellfish shippers. 

 The Shellfish Sanitation Program in N.Y. studies water quality, inspects 

 shellfish, provides microbiology and chemistry laboratory support, and issues 

 permits. The region under surveillance includes about 1.2 million acres of 

 underwater lands, of which 575,000 acres are actually or potentially 

 productive. At the time of writing 139,000 acres were closed to shellfish 

 harvesting. Major sources of pollution are sanitary wastes from sewage 

 treatment plants, urban stormwater runoff, and effluents from Long Island 

 duck farms. All shellfish storage and processing facilities must be 

 inspected before issuance of a license. Market samples of shellfish, and 

 samples from growing grounds, are subjected to bacteriological analysis, 

 and vessels are inspected periodically. Water and shellfish meats are 

 analyzed for total and fecal coliform organisms, fecal streptococcus, and 

 standard plate count. The laboratory also participates in collaborative 

 studies to improve on current methodology. This work is supported by a 

 mobile laboratory. The chemistry laboratory supports the shellfish program 

 and other units in analyses of pesticide and heavy metal residues. Samples 

 of shellfish, water, sediments and air, among other things, are examined. 

 Pesticides in New York are not of public health significance. The 8,000 

 shellfish digger permits issued in 1974 represented an increase of 1,500 

 over 1973. At the time of writing FDA was promulgating regulations for 

 NSSP which would require some changes in the N.Y. program. These were 

 being viewed with reservations by the shellfish industry. - J.L.M. 



1196 



McMillian (should be MacMillan), Bruce. 1978. 



Problems in classifying the Great South Bay. In Proc . Interstate Seafood 

 Seminar, Oct. 4 to 7, 1977. William R. Hess, Jr. (edj . Va. Polytechnic 

 Inst, and State Univ. Extension Div. and Dept. Food Sci. Technol . , Seafood 

 Processing Research and Extension Unit, Hampton, Va.: 265-278. 



In 1976 landings of 9 million pounds of hard clam (Mercenaria meraenaria) 

 meats with a dockside value of over $18 million were reported from New York. 

 About 93% of total hard clam production in New York came from Great South 

 Bay. The paper discusses in considerable detail the problems that faced the 

 state when in June 197 5 it was determined from a comprehensive sanitary sur- 



335 



