December 6, 2012 — NOAA Fisheries today announced new measures for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fishery for Fishing Year 2013 which begins on January 1.
Due to the possible presence of harmful algal blooms, which produce the toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning in humans, the temporary PSP closure areas that have been in place for the past seven years are extended for another year through December 31, 2013. These areas remain unchanged from 2012.
NOAA also announces that the quotas for these two species in 2013 remain unchanged from 2012 levels and that the minimum size for surfclams will be suspended in 2013.