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Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Management Plan

New England
Mid-Atlantic

About

The surfclam and ocean quahog fishery is managed under a fishery management plan (FMP) developed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. With the exception of the Maine mahogany quahog fishery, the fishery has operated under an individual transferable quota (ITQ) management system since 1990. 

The principal gear used in the fishery is the hydraulic clam dredge, which uses jets of water to dislodge ocean quahogs and surfclams from sediments.

A smaller "dry" dredge (without hydraulic jets) is used in Maine waters to harvest Maine mahogany quahogs.

The mahogany quahog fishery off Maine is managed under a relatively small quota that is separate from the quota used to manage the ITQ fishery. Ocean quahogs off Maine are managed separately because of differences in biological, fishery, and market characteristics.

Implementing regulations are found at 50 CFR part 648 subpart E. Find out more about Managing Sustainable Fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region.

Species Managed

More Information

Actions

Under Development Implemented Actions

Improvement and Modernization of Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Vessel Reporting Regulations

Improvement and Modernization of Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Vessel Reporting Regulations
Proposed Rule
,
Mid-Atlantic
Published
04/05/2023

Final Rule for 2023 Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Specifications

2023 surfclam and ocean quahog specifications and minimum size suspension
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
01/01/2023

Final Rule for the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment

surfclam and ocean quahog excessive shares amendment
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
12/23/2022

Final Rule for 2022 Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Specifications and Minimum Size Suspension for Surfclams

surfclam and ocean quahog quotas 2022, minimum size suspension 2022
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
01/01/2022

Final 2021 and Projected 2022-2026 Specifications for the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries

2021 surfclam and ocean quahog specifications
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
06/14/2021

Habitat Clam Dredge Exemption Framework

NOAA Fisheries is implementing the New England Fishery Management Council's; Habitat Clam Dredge Exemption Framework Adjustment to its Fishery Management Plans. The action will establish areas within the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
06/18/2020

Final 2020 Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Commercial Fishery Specifications and Minimum Size Suspension for Atlantic Surfclams

Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog 2020 specifications
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
01/01/2020

Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries: 2019 Fishing Quotas and Suspension of Minimum Atlantic Surfclam Size Limit

NOAA Fisheries suspends the minimum size limit for Atlantic surfclams for the 2019 fishing year. NOAA Fisheries also announces that the quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for 2019 will remain status quo. Regulations governing thes
Final Rule
,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Effective
01/01/2019

Final Action to Close Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Closure Areas to Gillnet Gear

NOAA Fisheries closes Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Closure Areas to gillnet gear.
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
12/17/2018

Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2

This action implements approved regulations for the New England Fishery Management Council's Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2. This rule revises essential fish habitat and habitat area of particular concern designations, revises or creates habit
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
04/09/2018

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery; 2018-2020 Fishing Quotas

This final rule implements status quo commercial quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for 2018 and projected status quo quotas for 2019 and 2020. This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels of Atlantic surfclams a
Final Rule
Published
02/06/2018

Last updated by Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on 07/25/2022