April 11, 2013 — New research on harmful algal blooms or “red tide” and at-sea and dockside testing protocols funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will allow for fishermen to harvest ocean quahogs and surf clams on Georges Bank for the first time in more than 20 years, announced the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on Wednesday.
It is estimated the Georges Bank fishery can produce up to 1 million bushels of surf clams and ocean quahogs a year, valued $10 – 15 million annually.
“There is a billion dollars’ worth of shellfish product on Georges Bank that is property of the United States but that can't be harvested because of the threat of toxicity, and 99.9% of the time, it is good wholesome product,” said Dave Wallace of North Atlantic Clam Association in a statement released by WHOI.
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