Chesapeake Bay clams include quahogs, soft-shelled clams, and stout razor clams.
Quahogs
Quahog clams are found in the lower Chesapeake Bay, where salinity levels are high enough to support them.
In addition to wild clams, a multi-million dollar clam aquaculture industry exists in Virginia’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay.
Other Clams
Although populations of soft-shelled clams and stout razor clams have declined in recent decades, remnant fisheries exist in some areas.
Soft-shelled clams are harvested for food and fishing bait. Stout razor clams are used as bait for catching crabs, in both recreational and commercial crabbing.
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