Top Ocean Quahog Fishing Countries

The ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) is a long-lived, slow-growing bivalve mollusk found in the cold, deep waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, particularly along the eastern coast of North America and northern Europe. Renowned for its longevity—some individuals live for over 400 years—the ocean quahog is harvested primarily for its meat, which is used in chowders and processed seafood products. The top fishing countries for ocean quahogs are the United States, particularly the state of New Jersey, which leads global landings, followed by the United Kingdom and Iceland. The U.S. ocean quahog fishery is highly regulated to ensure sustainability, using quota systems and gear restrictions, while European countries also manage their fisheries to prevent overexploitation. The industry is economically significant in these regions, supporting both local employment and export markets, but is carefully monitored due to the species' slow reproduction rate and vulnerability to overfishing.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.