Gulf of Maine Bivalve Molluscs (6 Species)

Gulf of Maine Bivalve Molluscs (6 species) may include species:

Depending on the “catch of the day,”

Common name: soft-shelled clam, long-neck clam, steamer clam

Scientific name:  Mya arenaria

Locations: buried in intertidal sand and mud

Seasonality:  available year round

Colors:  shell color ranges from bright white (sand) to dark black (mud)

Size:  2” - 4"

Collected:  hand dug with fork in sand and mud

Quantity:  sold by the each

Common name: blue mussel    

Scientific name:  Mytilus edulis

Locations: mid - low tide, on rocks, pilings, floats, buoys, in beds on bottom

Seasonality:  available year round

Colors:  blue-black color

Size:  1"  - 3"

Collected:  by hand

Quantity:  sold by the each

Common name: horse mussel

Scientific name:  Modiolus modiolus

Locations: on rocks in lower intertidal, kelp beds

Seasonality:  available year round

Colors:  brown and black shells

Size:  2” - 4"

Collected:  by hand

Quantity:  sold by the each

Common name: chestnut astarte clam   

Scientific name:  Astarte castanea

Locations: sub-tidal on rocky bottoms

Seasonality:  available year round

Colors:  dark brown and black

Size:  3/4"  - 1"

Collected:  by hand or dredge

Quantity:  sold by the each

Common name: mahogany clam, black clam

Scientific name:  Arctica islandica

Locations: sub-tidal on mud bottoms

Seasonality:  available year round

Colors:  brown - black color with white on umbo

Size:  1" -  3"

Collected:  by deepwater dredge

Quantity:  sold by the each

Common name:   American oyster

Scientific name:  Crassostrea virginica

Locations: mid - low tide, shell beds, especially in estuaries

Seasonality:  available year round

Colors:  white with green tinge

Size:  1"  - 3"

Collected:  by hand

Quantity:  sold by the each