Age and Growth of Large Southern Quahogs From a Florida Estuary
Saloman CH and Taylor JL. 1969. Age and Growth of Large Southern Quahogs From a Florida Estuary. Pages 46-51. In Proceedings of the National Shellfisheries. Proceedings of the National Shellfisheries Association
Data are presented on shell dimensions, weights, and age of 93 large southern quahogs, Mercenaria campechiensis, collected in Boca Ciega Bay, Florida. Shell length of four clams exceeded the previous size record for this species. The largest measured 179 mm in length, and the estimated age of the oldest was 22 years. Age of individuals was determined by counting growth lines on lateral and transverse shell surfaces. The transverse surface was exposed by sectioning. Average growth in the first 3 years produced clams 38 to 67 mm long early in the second year, 68 to 77 mm by the end of the second, and more than 77 mm in the third year. This rate of growth is at least three times that of northern quahogs.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Saloman, Carl; Taylor, John
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- Clams, Coastal Studies, Commercial Fishing, Marine, water species