The Atlantic surfclam, a highly valuable species used in dishes such as clam chowder and fried clam strips, has made a surprising comeback in Virginia waters after disappearing for more than two decades. A recent study conducted by Rutgers scientists found a thriving population of healthy-size surfclams in an area east of the Chesapeake Bay. This unexpected resurgence could be attributed to improved environmental conditions or the clams’ ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The findings, published in the journal Estuaries and Coasts, revealed that surfclams of various ages were thriving just below the surface of the ocean floor.
The decline of surfclams off the coast of Virginia in the late 1990s was linked to warming water temperatures, which led to a decrease in their population. By the early 2000s, fishing in those waters was no longer viable due to the scarcity of surfclams. However, in 2021, there was an unexpected resurgence in surfclam populations, prompting researchers like Daphne Munroe to investigate. Munroe, an associate professor at Rutgers, was alerted to the phenomenon by a fishing partner who reported a significant catch off Virginia’s Eastern Shore. This led to a research collaboration that shed light on the unexpected recovery of surfclams in the area.
The study, which was supported by funding from the National Science Foundation, involved the collection, preparation, and measurement of surfclams by researchers and interns. Genetic analysis of the surfclams collected from Virginia waters revealed the presence of two subspecies of the Atlantic surfclam: Spisula solidissima solidissima and Spisula solidissima similis. The discovery of multiple generations of surfclams indicated a healthy and expanding population in the region. This newfound population of surfclams at the southern edge of their range could provide valuable insights into species adaptation and recovery in changing environments.
The habitat of the Atlantic surfclam extends from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, with a primary population off the coast of New Jersey. The shallow Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf provides an ideal breeding ground for surfclams, which can live up to 40 years and grow shells up to 8 or 9 inches long. The study used the New Jersey surfclam population as a point of comparison to assess the health and growth of the surfclams in Virginia waters. The presence of multiple generations of surfclams in the collected samples suggests that environmental conditions in the southern range may have improved or that the population has adapted to changes in their habitat.
Further research will focus on investigating potential subspecies hybridization between the different types of Atlantic surfclams found in Virginia waters. This phenomenon could be a significant factor in the species’ ability to adapt to changing environments and recover from population declines. By studying surfclams at the southern edge of their range, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of how species respond to shifts in their habitats and how they may adapt to survive and thrive. The unexpected return of surfclams in Virginia waters offers hope for the species’ recovery and highlights the importance of monitoring and protecting marine ecosystems.