Why we care
As aquaculture of the Atlantic surfclam advances, farmers need to address the challenges presented by the Northeast’s unique and changing coastal environment. One key decision for growers is whether to cultivate them in their natural coastal ocean habitat or in more accessible coastal backbays. Farming surfclams in the coastal ocean would make use of clean, nutrient-rich ocean habitat that is currently underutilized, but is challenging to work in, requiring heavy vessel and coastal infrastructure. Moreover, surfclams are susceptible to both ocean acidification and ocean warming and would be further exposed in this habitat. This project will expand our understanding of multistressors on surfclams and provide farmers and the surfclam fishing sector with commercially relevant information for farm-scale business planning.
What we will do
This project primarily assesses the growth and survival of surfclam seed under various combinations of carbonate chemistry and temperature. This work will occur under controlled, laboratory conditions as well as under commercial farm-scale conditions in the coastal ocean. Environmental parameters under investigation that will be continuously recorded include pCO2, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, and salinity. Importantly, this work will support an existing community of practice composed of Rutgers University, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the surfclam fishing industry.
Benefits of our work
This work provides critical data to inform business decisions for the emerging Atlantic surfclam aquaculture industry. Additionally, the experimental work will identify environmental thresholds and be used in a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. This assists the industry refine business practices, improve culturing protocols and inform planning, siting and development of surfclam aquaculture efforts.
Investigators
Daphne Munroe, Rutgers University
Lisa Calvo, Rutgers University
Ximing Guo, Rutgers University
Sean Towers, Rutgers University
Collaborators
Guy Simmons, South Jersey Surf Clam Company
Joe Myers, South Jersey Surf Clam
Sam Martin, Atlantic Capes Fisheries Inc
Tom Dameron, Surfside Seafood Products LLC
Shannon L. Meseck, NOAA Northeast Fishery Science Center
This project was funded in collaboration with the NOAA Sea Grant Aquaculture program.
Image: Atlantic surf clams. Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute