The Atlantic ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) is a bivalve mollusk native to the salt marshes and estuarine environments along the Atlantic coast of North America, from Canada to Florida. Recognizable by its elongated, ribbed shell, this species plays a crucial ecological role in filtering water and stabilizing marsh sediments. While not as commercially significant as blue mussels or oysters, the Atlantic ribbed mussel is harvested on a smaller scale, primarily for bait, local consumption, and ecological restoration projects. The United States, particularly states along the Atlantic seaboard such as New Jersey, Delaware, and the Carolinas, is the primary country involved in the collection and management of this species. Canada also has some limited harvesting, mainly in the southern Maritime provinces. The fishery is typically small-scale and regulated to ensure the sustainability of marsh ecosystems, given the mussel’s importance to coastal habitat health.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 4 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.