2014 USA Clam Landings

U.S. landings of clams (all species) yielded 90.7 million pounds of meats valued at $214.8 million in 2014, according to NOAA Fisheries’ annual report, Fisheries of the United States 2014. The average exvessel price per pound in 2014 was $2.37.

Surf Clams

Surf clams yielded 43.3 million pounds of meats valued at $31 million. Leading states for surf clams were New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York. The average exvessel price per pound of meats was 72 cents in 2014.

Ocean Quahogs

The ocean quahog fishery produced 31.4 million pounds of meats valued at nearly $23.8 million. Together, New Jersey and Massachusetts accounted for almost 99 percent of total ocean quahog production in 2014. The average exvessel price per pound of meats was 76 cents in 2014.

Hard Clams

The hard clam fishery produced almost 8.1 million pounds of meats valued at almost $49.6 million—an increase of almost 1.2 million pounds (almost 17%). Landings in the New England region were 1.6 million pounds of meats (up nearly 1%); Middle Atlantic, 4.6 million pounds (up almost 1%); and the South Atlantic region, .8 million pounds (up 210%). The average exvessel price per pound of meats was $6.16 in 2014.

Soft Shelled Clams

Soft shelled clams yielded nearly 3.6 million pounds of meats valued at nearly $25.8 million. Maine was the leading state, followed by Washington (up nearly 50%), and Massachusetts (down more than 41%). The average exvessel price per pound of meats was $7.21 in 2014.

The Fisheries of the United States 2014 report is available at  http://st.nmfs.noaa.gov/commercial-fisheries/fus/fus14/index.

National Coalition of Fishing Communities (NCFC)

A new coalition of U.S fishing communities has been organized. The National Coalition of Fishing Communities (NCFC) will formally launch during the next U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, to be held in Washington, DC on January 19, 2016.

NCFC members include:

 - municipalities with economic, social, and cultural ties to the fishing industry

 - associations who represent and are supported directly by working commercial fishing families

 - businesses who are involved in the harvesting, processing, distributing, marketing, and serving of seafood

 - individuals in fishing communities


NCFC is currently engaged in a membership drive. Members can join at the NCFC website, fisheriescoalition.org.

Where Do Jonah Crabs Come Fron?

A growing market demand for jonah crab has increased fishing effort along the USA Atlantic Coast in the last two decades, according to an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) stock assessment of the species.

Jonah crab are harvested by lobstermen using lobster traps. As the demand for Jonah crab has increased, a mixed crustacean fishery has emerged that can target American lobster, Jonah crab, or both species.

Global Aquaculture Alliance Website Re-Design

The Global Aquaculture Alliance has strengthened its online presence by re-launching its websites (www.gaalliance.org and bap.gaalliance.org) designed to better communicate its mission of advocating, educating and demonstrating responsible aquaculture practices to feed and employ future generations.

The new websites feature search and map functionalities for the list of more than 700 Best Aquaculture Practices-certified facilities, a marketing toolkit and a consumer-facing webpage. The new GAA and BAP websites made their official debut at Seafood Expo North America.

source: Global Aquaculture Alliance