Hard Clams
These long-lived, dense-shelled bivalves live in sandy or muddy bottoms throughout Florida waters. Two species of hard clam are found in Florida: the northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) and the southern quahog (Mercenaria campechiensis). Historically, clams served as a food source and currency for Native Americans.
Hard clams support an important commercial fishery on the east
coast of Florida. We are testing various strategies to manipulate
clam density in an effort to stabilize the fishery.
Species accounts provide a summary of biology and fishery
information. The accounts provide life history information,
statewide landings, trends in catch rates, and results of recent
stock assessments.
This summary life history of clams includes information about
age and growth, distribution and migration, and feeding habits.
Publications of the Molluscan Fisheries Group.
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