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Increasing Northern Quahog Harvest by Using Closed Shellfishing Areas in Coastal Georgia
Author(s) -
Walker Randal L.,
Stevens Stuart A.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8675(1991)011<0267:inqhbu>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - mercenaria , fishery , population density , population , geography , population size , biology , zoology , ecology , demography , sociology
The growth rate, age, size distribution, and commercial size‐classes of northern quahogs Mercenaria mercenaria were determined at seven stations in Christmas Creek, Little Cumberland and Cumberland islands, Georgia. Experimental commercial harvesting was then allowed within the area, and afterward Christmas Creek was rechecked to determine the effects of harvesting on the clams. Northern quahogs in Christmas Creek reached commercial size (44.4 mm shell length) in 2–2.2 years. Mean age in the population was 16.1 years, and some individuals reached 36 years; 71% of the population was more than 10 years old. Shell lengths were as large as 105 mm and averaged 76.2 mm. Commercial harvest occurred sporadically from April to June 1986 and 1987. Four clammers harvested 70,015 clams from Christmas Creek during 56 person‐days in 1986; two clammers harvested 66,400 clams during 44 person‐days in 1987. Mean density of northern quahogs decreased by at least a factor of four at the four stations resampled. Mean clam size decreased at three stations and remained the same at one. Age‐0 and age‐2 northern quahogs were present at all four stations resampled, and 1‐year‐olds were present at three stations. Results support the use of such areas for short‐term, low‐pressure commercial harvest of northern quahogs. Recommendations and a rationale for conditionally opening areas to harvest are presented.