R/AQ-11

Relevance Historically, Maryland was a top producer of soft-shell clams. It had some of the highest landings of soft-shell clams in the 1960s, before clam populations plummeted and the associated fishing industry dissolved. Potential exists to grow soft-shell clams through aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay, although rising temperature and water quality changes have resulted in the need for new growing methods. This would provide growers with an additional bivalve to sell.

Response: Maryland Sea Grant-funded researchers have expanded their initial research about soft-shell clam seed and testing grow-out methods in partnership with Maryland aquaculture companies. The researchers have used heat-shock experiments to develop heat-resistant soft-shell clam seed that will be available to commercial growers this spring. The researchers are also developing a manual that will provide growers with instructions about different culture and grow-out methods.

Results: In ongoing grow-out tests, the clam lines developed by the research team have grown an average of 1.7-1.8 inches, with some clams exceeding two inches. These genetically selected soft-shell clams have a survival rate of close to 100 percent, which would provide aquaculture growers a promising new shellfish crop that is hardy against summer heat waves and would diversify their business. The research team has fielded inquiries from a Maryland hatchery interested in growing soft-shell clam seed as well as Maryland shellfish growers.