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One of the biggest predators of seed clams is the horseshoe crab, which is the dominant benthic predator of estuaries on the east coast. Some states have offered bounties on horseshoe crabs in the past. This is a mating pair in the spring. Click on the crabs for more information about these fascinating creatures. |
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Starfish, along with crabs, gulls and fish, are another major predator of many types of bivalves. "There ain't much in the ocean that doesn't like eating clams." -- Capt. Ken |
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This is a developing industry and shellfish farmers often must invent new technologies to serve very specific needs. This rolling rake is designed to impale crabs and other predators in the clam bed prior to planting seed clams. |
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The finished product: seed clams, 6-month old and 18-month old clams, and Clams Casino. This is the result of hundreds of hours of hard work over a two year period. Starting with 100,000 seed clams at fifteen dollars for 1,000, and ending up with a 75% survival rate, at twenty cents a piece. You do the math! We said it was hard work, we didn't say it was profitable work! "This is a job for a strong back and a weak mind." -- Local clammer |
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