Top Solid Surf Clam Fishing Countries

The solid surf clam (Spisula solidissima), also known as the Atlantic surf clam, is a large, burrowing bivalve mollusk native to the sandy shores and offshore waters of the northwest Atlantic Ocean. Renowned for its sweet, tender meat, it is a staple in the production of canned clam products, chowders, and fried clam strips. The United States is by far the top country harvesting solid surf clams, with a well-established, highly regulated fishery concentrated along the eastern seaboard, particularly off New Jersey and New York. Canada also maintains a smaller but significant surf clam fishery, primarily focused on the Grand Banks and Scotian Shelf, where related species such as the Arctic surf clam (Mactromeris polynyma) are also targeted. These fisheries are notable for their use of hydraulic dredges and are managed to ensure sustainability, making the U.S. and Canada the primary global suppliers of solid surf clams.

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