1313 



Miller, Morton M., and Darrel A. Nash. 1971. 



Regional and other related aspects of shellfish consumption: Some preliminary- 

 findings from the 1969 consumer panel survey. U.S. Dept. Commerce, NOAA, NMFS 

 Circ. 361, 18 p. 



Marked regional preferences exist for individual shellfish products. Clam 

 markets are highly concentrated in 3 regions, New England, Middle Atlantic, 

 and Pacific. About 37% of the U.S. population consumes about 85% of the 

 national total. Per capita consumption in New England is close to 9 times the 

 national average, but New England was no longer a leading clam-producing area 

 and was importing over 80% of its supply. The middle Atlantic and Pacific 

 regions accounted for 18% and 16% respectively of total U.S. clam consumption. 

 The mid-Atlantic region received over 75% of U.S. clam landings at the time of 

 the study and 3 of every 4 pounds landed there were shipped out, mostly to 

 New England and the west coast. It was concluded that the central regions of 

 the nation are extremely low in consumption of clams because producers have 

 ample outlets for their production in traditional clam-eating areas. Over 60% 

 of the clam harvest was surf clams, which are further processed into frozen 

 or canned products. Thus, the nature of the product did not appear to be the 

 reason for geographical market limits. It was concluded that if larger catches 

 were made, marketing potential is high. Consumption of clams varies widely 

 with season, which complements to a degree seasonal changes in oyster con- 

 sumption, which are influenced by the myth of the "R" months. Clam consumption 

 was steady in early summer, although lower than in winter, then rose sharply in 

 August. From September onward clam consumption dropped as oyster consumption 

 rose. Clams were more likely to be. eaten away from home than most other 

 shellfish species, and were eaten primarily by higher income groups. Young 

 people consumed substantially less clams than those over 45. Species are not 

 given, but these observations obviously apply in general to Mercenaria 

 mercenaria . - J.L.M. 



1314 



Miller, William S., and Pieter Van Volkenburgh. 1972. 



Chowder pot of the world: Great South Bay. The Conservationist, August- 

 September, 1972, 2 p. 



Describes Mercenaria mercenaria from Great South Bay, where most of the hard 

 clams in the United States are harvested. It has just the right combination 

 of environmental characteristics for large and continued production. Various 

 types of harvesting are described, used by local citizens for their own use, 

 by commercial clammers who harvest the natural beds, and by private owners 

 or leasers of land. Size categories are described, and places to which clams 

 are shipped are named. Two recipes are included. - J.L.M. 



1315 



Miller, William S., Elizabeth M. Wallace, Carl N. Shuster, Jr., and Robert E. 

 Hillman. 1970. 



Hard clam ... The gourmet's delight. Marine Resources of the Atlantic coast, 

 Atl. States Marine Fish. Coram., Leaflet 14, 8 p. 



Distributed along Atlantic coast from Florida to Gulf of St. Lawrence wherever 

 climate permits reproduction. Also in Gulf of Mexico to Yucatan. In 

 sheltered bays and coves, in shallow water, in bottoms ranging from gravel to 

 soft mud. Usually most abundant in mud-sand. Optimum salinity is 18-26°/°o. 

 Peak production is in the Middle Atlantic States. Usually graded by size from 

 largest chowders at lowest price, to medium cherrystones at intermediate price, 

 and smallest littlenecks at highest price. State regulations vary, and should 

 be standardized. Harvesting is done by hand or by treading, with rakes or 

 tongs, and with various types of dredge. Spawning is from late spring through 

 midsummer, controlled by temperature. As many as 24 million eggs may be 

 produced at a single spawning by one female. Eggs, fertilized in the water, 

 develop through several free-swimming larval stages, then settle to the bottom 



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