other clam studies were going on in neighboring states, which would facilitate 

 frequent consultation. A survey of Greenwich Bay, R.I. showed that the bottom 

 in the western half was mostly sticky mud, the eastern half mostly sand with 

 small areas of shell. Most sub-legal clams were in the western part. Large 

 clams predominated in the eastern. Distribution was very irregular, and 

 centers of heavy concentration small and scattered. Studies of currents had 

 been started. Plankton samples were taken 3 times/week. An interview system 

 had been set up to get catch statistics. Expected results were: 1) estimate 

 of expected annual yield at present harvesting rate; 2) best rate of removal 

 for maximum sustainable yield; 3) conditions of life history and ecology that 

 influence production; and 4) basic knowledge of clam farming methods. The 

 federal laboratory at Milford, Conn, was cooperating on laboratory culture 

 and scientists at Rutgers university on food organisms, obtaining seed from 

 natural production, growth, predation, and larval stages. The Narragansett 

 laboratory was doing ecological surveys of Narrangansett Bay with emphasis on 

 hard clam. The federal laboratory at Beaufort, N.C. was studying basic food 

 materials of hard clam using radioactive tracers. The State of Maryland was 

 studying clam growth and survival, and the University of N.C. growth and 

 survival in N.C. waters. - J.L.M. 



1740 



Stringer, Louis D. 1952. 



Quahaug productivity studies in Greenwich Bay. 3rd Ann. Conf. on Clam 

 Research, Boothbay Harbor, Me. U.S. Dept. Interior, Fish Wildl. Serv.: 

 21-23. 



Total estimated population in 1950 was 300 million clams. Only 30 million 

 were available to commercial fishermen, the rest were below legal size. 

 Two areas of high abundance were shown. Over 30 clams/ft2 at mouths of 

 Apponang and Greenwich Coves. The western third of the Bay showed highest 

 overall concentration, but this was primarily quahogs below 48 mm. Catch 

 per unit of effort has fluctuated but averages about 893 necks and 334 

 large clams/boat/day. Number of boats fishing is between 30 and 50/day 

 for 9 months. Fishing is intermittent in winter. Total estimated removal 

 from Aug 1950 to Aug 1951 was 13 million clams, or about 45% of those 

 legally available. Greatest effort is during the latter part of August. 

 Bullrakes take mostly necks, tongs about half and half. This is probably 

 a matter of choice. - J.L.M. 



1741 



Stringer, Louis D. 1953. 



Hard clam productivity studies, Greenwich Bay, Rhode Island. 4th Ann. Conf. 

 on Clam Research, Boothbay Harbor, Me. U.S. Dept. Interior, Fish Wildl. 

 Serv.: 32-35. 



Population estimates: Total population Over legal size (48 mm) 



1950 142,000,000 36,000,000 



1951 357,000,000 41,000,000 



1952 661,000,000 37,000,0.00 



The outstanding feature was the patchiness of Venus. 



Catch/man/day 

 necks 



tal removals : 



Removals 



1950 



5,000,000 



1951 



8,000,000 



1952 



8,000,000 



J.L.M. 





1.24 



1.13 



large 



1.16 



1.38 



" 



1.22 



1.34 



ii 



481 



