Calibration Experiments for a Novel Clam Survey Dredge and Monitoring Carbonate Chemistry of Surfclam Habitat

Abstract

The Atlantic surfclam (Spisula solidissima) fishery is an important commercial fishery in the U.S. Northeast region, and particularly so for the state of New Jersey. Annual landings in this fishery net approximately 22,400 tonnes (50 million lbs.) worth over USD 30 million. The fishery is conducted in the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB), a marine region where seasonal temperature extremes are undergoing long-term changes at rates faster than other continental shelves. Additionally, the Atlantic surfclam fishery has been identified among the most exposed to offshore wind energy development impacts due to overlap of surfclam habitat and prime fishing grounds with wind energy areas (Scheld et al., 2022). Vulnerability of surfclam, and other fishery stocks in the region, to climate stressors must be evaluated so that stock changes over time can be attributed to climate, offshore wind development, or the combination of the two.