Clam (Mya arenaria).
Reading edition
Mya arenaria, commonly known as the "soft" or "long-neck" clam, is found along the entire Massachusetts coast, wherever there is afforded a sufficient shelter from the open ocean. Exposed beaches with open surf are never inhabited by this mollusk, which is usually found on the tide flats of bays, inlets and rivers, and on the sheltered beaches between high and low tide lines. The clam occurs in various kinds of soil, from rocky gravel to soft mud, but grows best in a tenacious soil of mud and sand, where it lies buried at a depth of from 6 to 12 inches.
As Cape Cod marks the dividing line between a northern and a southern fauna, it also divides the clam flats of Massachusetts into two distinct areas. The same clam is found both north and south of Cape Cod, but the natural conditions under which it lives are quite different. In comparing these two areas, several points of difference are noted.
(1) The clam areas of the north coast are mostly large flats, while those of the south shore are confined to a narrow shore strip, as Buzzards Bay and the south side of Cape Cod for certain geological reasons do not possess flats, but merely beaches.
(2) The rise and fall of the tide is much higher on the north shore, thus giving an extent of available flats nearly six times the clam area south of Cape Cod.
(3) Clam growth as a rule is much faster on the north shore. This is due to the great amount of tide flow over the river flats of the north shore. Current is the main essential for rapid clam growth, as it transports the food. The average south shore flats possess merely the rise and fall of the tide, and as a rule have not the currents of the north shore rivers.
(4) The temperature of the northern waters is several degrees colder than the waters south of Cape Cod. This affords, as has been shown experimentally, a longer season of growth for the southern clam. The north shore clam in the Essex region only increases the size of its shell through the six summer months, while the south shore clam grows slightly during the winter.
The present advantages lie wholly with the north shore district, as through overdigging the less extensive areas of southern Massachusetts have become in most parts commercially barren. Overdigging has not occurred to the same extent on the north shore, owing to the vast extent of the flats. Nevertheless, many acres of these, as at Plymouth, Kingston, Duxbury, and even Gloucester and Essex, have become wholly or partially unproductive. The only important clamming in Massachusetts to-day is found in the towns bordering Ipswich Bay. The south shore and a good part of the north shore furnish but few clams for the market.
In view of restocking the barren areas through cultural methods, the north shore possesses two advantages over the south shore: it has a larger natural supply at present, which will make restocking easier; it has larger areas of flats, which can be made to produce twenty times the normal yield of the south shore flats. Although, compared with the north shore, the clam area of the south shore seems poor, it is above the average when compared with the clam areas of the other States south of Massachusetts, and when properly restocked the clam flats of southern Massachusetts should furnish a large annual production.
If the clam industry is not properly cared for, it will be totally ruined before many years. The clammers do not realize this, because of a mistaken impression that nature will forever furnish them with good clamming, and they have little thought for the future; while, on the other hand, the consumer is indifferent from lack of knowledge.
Scope of the Report.—The object of this report is to present in brief form the condition of the clam fishery in Massachusetts. For this purpose facts showing the present extent of the industry have been compiled, with the view of furnishing both the clammer and consumer with certain desirable information.
The report will consider: (1) general conditions of the industry of 1907; (2) a survey of the clam-producing area, illustrated by maps; (3) a plan of clam culture which will make productive many acres of barren flats; (4) the history of the clam industry, a comparison being made between the industries of 1879 and 1907; (5) a description of the industry.
Methods of Work.—The same methods as used with the other shellfish were pursued in obtaining the statistical data for the clam industry. The clam-producing areas were examined and the observations recorded. Town records, which were of some assistance with the other shellfish, furnished practically no clam data, compelling the Commission to rely upon the estimates of the clammers and clam dealers. While this method made it difficult to secure accurate detailed information, the statistics for each town were checked up in a variety of ways, thus furnishing as nearly correct figures as can be obtained.
In making an historical comparison of 1879 and 1907, the report of Ernest Ingersoll on the clam fishery of the United States, and the report of A. Howard Clark on the fisheries of Massachusetts, as published in the United States Fish Commission Report, Section V, volume 2, and Section II., respectively, were of great use, as practically all of the statistics for 1879 were obtained from these two reports.
In making the survey of the clam areas, records were made of: (1) soil; (2) food (a) in water, (b) on surface of soil; (3) rate of currents; (4) abundance of clams and localities of set; (5) barren flats that can be made productive. In the present report only the kind of soil, abundance of clams and area of barren flats will be given, the food problem being reserved for later publication.
Summary.—In the following summary the seacoast towns are arranged in geographical order from north to south. The number of men includes both regular and intermittent clammers who dig for the market; all others are excluded. In determining the production of any town it is impossible to obtain exactly correct figures, as the amount dug for home consumption is an unestimable quantity, and the clams are marketed in a number of ways, rendering it almost impossible to get complete statistics. The production statistics have been obtained in a variety of ways, and the final estimates have resulted from careful consideration of all facts. The invested capital includes the clammer's outfit and boat, but does not include personal apparel, such as boots and oil skins.
The clam flats are divided into two main divisions: (1) productive; and (2) barren. The barren areas are those where at present no clams grow at all, not even scattering; and areas yielding even a few clams are still considered productive flats, though to all practical purposes barren. It was necessary to make the division thus, as otherwise no decisive line could be drawn. The barren flats are divided into those sections that can be made productive and those that can never be made to grow clams. The productive flats, on the other hand, are divided into areas of good clamming and areas of scattering clams which do not support a commercial fishery. The normal production of the clam flats has been carefully estimated, in view of the previous experiments of the Fish and Game Commission, and the different classes of flats have each been given a certain valuation in computing the total for each town. The areas given of the clam flats are based upon calculations, as no engineering survey was made.
The price of clams varies in different localities, and chiefly depends upon the quality of clams and the method of marketing. In certain towns clams are "shucked" (removed from the shell),—a process which greatly increases their market value; while in other places they are sold only in the shell. These two facts account for the apparent variation in the value of the production in different localities, as each town is given its own market price.
The following production table does not include an important factor,—the amount of clams dug by the summer people. An unestimable quantity is annually taken from the flats in this way, and is not included in the production statistics. Indeed, summer people have affected the clamming interests of several towns, as the selectmen have refused to place closed seasons, etc., on certain depleted flats in order to cater to the summer residents, who desire free clamming near their cottages. The total number of licenses issued by the boards of health of Boston and New Bedford for taking shellfish in their respective harbors are given as representing the number of clammers. In reality, however, only a few of these licensees make a regular business of clamming.
Summary of the Clam Industry.
TOWN. Number of Men. Capital Invested. 1907 Production. Total Area. Productive Area. Barren Area possibly Productive. Waste Barren Area. Possible Normal Production.
Bushels. Value. Sand. Mud. Gravel. Mussels and Eel Grass. Total. Good Clamming. Scattering Clams.
Salisbury, 66[17] $625 15,000 $16,500 34 216 — — 250 150 100 — — $70,000
Newburyport, 175 2,700 55,500 61,000 150 930 — — 1,080 800 280 — — 250,000
Newbury, 6 75 300 250 110 250 — — 360 — 100 260 — 40,000
Rowley, 15 800 2,000 1,500 250 150 — — 400 20 80 300 — 60,000
Ipswich, 136[17] 7,500 25,000 18,750 390 500 55 25 970 400 420 125 25 200,000
Essex, 50 1,200 15,000 12,750 500 125 — 25 650 150 150 325 25 120,000
Gloucester, 31 600 6,000 8,000 250 200 — 100 550 75 100 275 100 70,000
Manchester, — — 100 100 10 10 — — 20 — 5 10 5 2,000
Beverly, — — 100 100 30 20 — — 50 — 10 30 10 5,000
Salem, 7 75 200 200 75 25 — — 100 5 10 70 15 11,000
Lynn, 7 100 1,000 1,000 90 300 5 5 400 10 30 160 200 26,000
Saugus, 10 100 1,000 1,000 100 150 — — 250 10 40 100 100 22,000
Nahant, — — 300 300 50 100 100 — 250 — 50 150 50 25,000
Boston, 350[18] 2,250 7,500 6,000 525 3,325 1,380 1,095 6,325 100 1,180 1,000 4,045 376,000
Cohasset, — — 200 200 50 50 — — 100 — 10 40 50 6,000
Scituate, — — 200 200 50 45 5 — 100 — 20 40 40 8,000
Marshfield, — — 200 200 40 50 10 — 100 — 30 30 40 9,000
Duxbury, 5 60 700 600 800 — — 2,700 3,500 5 10 800 2,685 83,000
Kingston, 4 50 500 450 150 — — 450 600 5 5 150 440 18,000
Plymouth, 6 60 3,000 2,500 400 100 — 1,100 1,600 10 50 440 1,100 58,000
Barnstable, 25 200 700 550 200 150 — 50 400 10 10 330 50 39,000
Yarmouth, 5 40 600 500 25 15 10 — 50 5 10 25 10 6,000
Orleans, 30 200 3,000 3,000 125 50 20 5 200 25 50 75 50 27,000
Eastham, 36 250 4,000 4,000 100 50 30 20 200 25 50 100 25 30,000
Wellfleet, 11 300 800 640 450 5 150 — 605 3 12 250 340 28,000
Truro, 1 2 50 60 50 — — — 50 1 2 47 — 5,000
Provincetown, 5 15 400 320 400 — — — 400 3 3 200 194 21,000
Chatham, 10 400 1,500 1,200 330 10 20 — 360 10 50 300 — 44,000
Harwich, — — 100 80 10 10 10 — 30 1 5 10 14 2,400
Dennis, — — 50 45 25 15 10 — 50 1 4 30 15 4,200
Mashpee, 2 20 50 45 20 5 20 5 50 2 8 30 10 5,400
Falmouth, — — 200 175 40 5 5 — 50 2 8 40 — 6,400
Bourne, — — 100 100 5 5 30 — 40 — 30 — 10 6,000
Wareham, 6 100 800 800 15 10 75 — 100 — 50 — 50 10,000
Marion, 1 15 100 100 — — 10 — 10 — 10 — — 2,000
Mattapoisett, 1 15 100 100 — 5 5 — 10 — 10 — — 2,000
Fairhaven, — — 100 100 — 25 25 — 50 — 25 25 — 7,500
New Bedford, 320[18] — 300 225 5 5 15 — 25 — 15 — 10 3,000
Dartmouth, 4 50 200 160 15 10 5 — 30 5 15 — 10 5,000
Swansea, 25 250 5,000 5,000 100 100 — — 200 20 30 100 50 24,000
Somerset, — — 50 50 — 25 25 — 50 — 10 20 20 4,000
Dighton, — — 40 40 — 5 5 — 10 — 2 8 — 1,200
Berkley, — — 25 25 — 5 5 — 10 — 4 6 — 1,400
Freetown, — — 100 100 — 10 15 — 25 — 15 — 10 3,000
Fall River, — — 100 75 — 20 5 — 25 — 10 15 — 3,500
Nantucket, 4 40 400 350 150 25 25 — 200 5 15 130 50 18,000
Edgartown, 7 50 1,200 1,000 150 — 50 — 200 20 100 50 30 33,000
Total, 1,361 $18,142 153,865 $150,440 6,269 7,111 2,125 5,580 21,085 1,878 3,233 6,096 9,878 $1,801,000
Decline of the Natural Clam Supply.—The decline of the clam supply is a matter of general knowledge. People who live along the seashore realize that they can no longer gather the amount of clams they once could dig with ease from the same flats. On the southern shore of the State especially it is oftentimes difficult to obtain even enough for family use. The consumer also realizes the loss of the clam, as he is forced to pay higher prices.
If specific cases of this decline are demanded, the following instances should show the exact depletion in the various localities. Even in the best clam-producing town of the State, Newburyport, where the clam production, according to statistics, has apparently increased during the last twenty-five years (as a result of more men entering the fishery), the supply has shown signs of failing. Essex now possesses many acres of flats formerly productive which now lie in a practically barren condition. Gloucester can no longer boast of her former clam industry, as the flats in Annisquam River are in poor condition. Hardly 30 men now make a business of clamming in that town, whereas 92 men were engaged in the fishery in 1879. Passing south of Gloucester, we find great evidence of decline in the Boston harbor flats. Even before the edict closing the harbor from clammers was in force, the production did not by any means equal that of 1879. Plymouth harbor, including the three towns of Duxbury, Kingston and Plymouth, furnishes an excellent illustration of this decline. Here an area of flats as extensive as all the other flats of the State combined now lies practically barren, whereas in former times great quantities of clams were taken. These flats had already become depleted to a marked extent by 1879, and to-day practically no clams are shipped to market from the Duxbury flats, although you can still read "Duxbury clams" on the menus of the hotels and restaurants, showing how important a clam industry this town once possessed. Buzzards Bay district lies at present unproductive except for supplying home consumption and the demands of the summer people. The shores of Cape Cod no longer yield their former supply of clams, and the most striking example of the extinction of a flourishing fishery is found in the town of Chatham, which now does not produce one-tenth part of its production in 1879. The Fall River or Narragansett Bay district does not come up to its past productiveness, and now chiefly yields clams which in former times would have been considered as too small to use.
As can be seen by the following table, which gives a comparison between the industry in 1879 and 1907, the localities south of Gloucester all show a decline in their production, and there is no town on the coast which has not shown some depletion in the natural clam supply. The localities of the north shore, while indicating by their statistics a gain in production, nevertheless have not their former abundance, and the actual diminution of the supply is concealed by the fact that more men have entered the industry.
LOCALITY. 1879. 1907.
Men. Bushels. Value. Men. Bushels. Value.
Ipswich, 75 11,500 $4,600 136 25,000 $18,750
Salisbury and Newburyport, 60 28,800 11,520 241 70,500 77,500
Essex, 75 11,500 4,500 50 15,000 12,750
Gloucester, 92 13,978 5,200 31 6,000 8,000
Boston harbor, 90 40,000 20,000 350[19] 7,500 6,000
Duxbury, -[20] 5,000 2,500 5 700 600
Plymouth -[20] 5,000 2,500 6 3,000 2,500
Harwich, 15 1,125 400 — 100 80
Chatham, 150 35,000 12,250 10 1,500 1,200
Nantucket, -[19] 2,253 872 4 400 350
Edgartown, -[20] 4,000 1,570 7 1,200 1,000
Fall River district, -[20] 3,375 3,121 25 5,315 5,290
Causes of the Decline.—The same cause which has been stated in the general report has contributed to the decline of the clam supply, i.e., the increasing demand which has led to overfishing. Thus the decline can be directly attributed to the exploiting of natural clam resources by man, although it must be admitted that natural agencies, such as geographical changes, destroy the clam flats of certain localities and build up others.
This decline has become possible through the indifference of the towns to the welfare of their clam fishery, and by not restricting, through town laws, the extermination of the clams in time to allow nature to replenish the flats. Some towns, such as Ipswich, have regulated this matter by placing closed seasons on portions of the flats, which has been the partial means of preserving their natural supply. Thus the town laws have proved inadequate, as most towns have no laws at all, or have such unwise ones that they often defeat their own object.
It is again necessary to emphasize the need of reform in the clam industry. This Commonwealth once possessed an extensive supply of clams, and still possesses part of its former abundance; but the present supply is diminishing at such a rate that it will not be a quarter of a century before the natural clam fishery will be commercially extinct. On the south shore clams are now commercially extinct, and it is only a question of time, if the present methods are allowed to remain, before the north shore clams will also disappear. The experiments of the Massachusetts department of fisheries and game and the work of men who have planted this shellfish all show that thousands of dollars can be brought into the State by utilizing the waste clam areas, and that the production can be so increased as to even exceed that of former years. Immediate action is necessary, if this important industry is to be saved.
The Remedy.—The remedy is comparatively simple, and abundant proof of its success is at hand. By restocking the barren and unproductive areas of the Commonwealth the present production can be increased many times. Experiments have shown that clams can be readily, successfully and economically transplanted, and that it is a completely practical undertaking. Not only can the barren areas be restocked, but the yield of the productive areas can be much increased. Clam farming is the only practical method of restocking these areas, and only through such means can the clam flats be made to yield their normal harvest.
Clam Farming.
The subject of clam farming has received a good deal of attention the past few years, and much has been said concerning the enormous profits which would result from the cultivation of this shellfish. While the newspaper statements have been for the most part correct, there has been considerable exaggeration and many details have been inaccurate. To remove any misapprehensions, the following account of clam farming is given.
The value of clam farming has been perhaps overestimated. While no fabulous returns are ever to be expected, the yield is large in proportion to the labor, and steady returns are sure. The methods used are simple, the capital required is small, the area suitable for raising clams is extensive, and clam farming gives promise of becoming one of the most prominent and remunerative shore industries. The profits derived from such a system should furnish steady employment for hundreds of men on the Massachusetts coast.
Massachusetts possesses thousands of acres of tidal flats which are capable of producing clams. Most of these flats are practically barren, i.e., produce no clams in paying quantities, and yet if planted with small clams will yield in from one to two years large quantities of marketable bivalves. This large area of barren flats should be divided into small farms, which should be leased to individuals for the purpose of planting and raising clams.
The Necessity of Clam Farming.—It is a well-known fact that the natural supply of clams is becoming rapidly exhausted, and that this important fishery will become commercially extinct unless steps are taken to check its decline. The only practical means known at the present time is clam farming. In the past, methods such as close seasons and restricting the catch have been used, but with poor results, as these have been economically wrong. The correct method in such cases is not to restrict the demand, but to increase the supply. Clam farming offers the only means of increasing the natural production, and not only checking the decline, but establishing a large industry.
Is Clam Farming Practical?—Clam farming is not a theory but an established fact. Clams will grow if planted in suitable places, and will yield large returns. For three years the Commission of Fisheries and Game have made numerous experiments in clam farming in many seacoast towns. They have not only proved its complete practicability, but have also shown that large profits result from successful planting. Records are on file at the State House showing the exact results of these experimental farms, which indicate the future success of clam farming.
Besides the experiments of the Commission on Fisheries and Game, successful clam farming is now being carried on in several towns of the State. The leading town in this line is Essex, where at least 15 grants are held by the clammers. The only protection given is based upon public sentiment, which, however, is sufficient to insure the success of the enterprise. All these grants were staked out on flats which were producing no clams when granted, although part of this area was once very productive. So far these grants have proved most successful, thus proving by actual experience that clam farming is a worthy rival of agriculture.
Historical Attempts at Clam Farming.—Clam farming has been in existence for years. The first record of any legislation upon this subject is found in an act to regulate the clam fishery in and around the shores of Plymouth, Kingston and Duxbury in 1870, whereby a license was granted for a term not exceeding five years to any inhabitant of these towns to plant, cultivate and dig clams. This license cost $2.50, and gave the exclusive use of the flats and creeks described to the licensee and his heirs during the time specified, and also the right in an action of tort to recover treble damages from any person who, without his consent, dug or took clams from said grant. Evidently nothing was done to follow out this law, which was soon forgotten.
In 1874 an act was passed to regulate the shellfisheries (including clams) in the waters of Mount Hope Bay and its tributaries. The terms of this act were practically the same as the Plymouth act, the only difference being the substitution of the word shellfish for clam.
In 1888 an act was passed by the town of Winthrop, authorizing the planting of clams on the shores of that town. The grant was to consist of not over 2 acres of barren flats, situated more than 500 feet from high-water mark. The other provisions of this act were the same as those of the Plymouth act of 1870.
The most important clam culture law was passed in 1888. This authorized the planting of clams on the shores of Essex. Here the provisions of the law were followed out, and the first energetic attempt at clam farming started. The law, the provisions of which were nearly the same as the previous laws, reads as follows:—