QPX and Quahog Management

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QPX and Quahog Management

• Steve Artabane
• November 4, 2004

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Northern Hard Clam, Quahog
Hill, 2001
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Overview of the Quahog

• Bivalve Mollusc
• Mercenaria mercenaria
• Used by Native Americans-Wampum
• Fished in Coastal Waters, both sub-tidally and
  inter-tidally
• Range
• Food Uses

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Bull Raking and Hand RakingCommercial Dredging
Gates 2004
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Growout Methods
Three Bays Pres. Inc.
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Hard Clam Aquaculture Values in Florida
Ruth et al., 2003
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QPX- Quahog Parasite Unknown
Smolowitz et al. 1998
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Clam Seed Source Mortality
Calvo and Burreson, 2002
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What to do about QPX

• Remove infected clams
• Do not transport clams from one area to another
• Limit Densities of growing clams
• Choose local seed