clams.html

The common razor clam, Ensis directus, is one of the few untapped resources in shellfish aquaculture in the Northeastern United States. The razor clam (also known as the Atlantic jackknife clam) gets its name from its elongated appearance resembling an old-fashioned straight-edge razor. They can grow to over eight inches long! Razor clams have a sweet flavor similar to a lobster, but the texture of a clam. They can be consumed raw (on the half-shell), steamed, fried, or in chowder. Razors live in the sediment as do hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) and soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria); however, they are extremely active and very fast diggers by comparison. Recreational shellfish enthusiasts find digging for razor clams by hand to be quite a challenge with a tasty reward!

RAZOR CLAMS Can you dig them? Yes, you can!	Razor Clams …the Cutting Edge of Aquaculture ! by Tessa Simlick-Getchis Connecticut Sea Grant Extension Educator
	The common razor clam, Ensis directus, is one of the few untapped resources in shellfish aquaculture in the Northeastern United States. The razor clam (also known as the Atlantic jackknife clam) gets its name from its elongated appearance resembling an old-fashioned straight-edge razor. They can grow to over eight inches long! Razor clams have a sweet flavor similar to a lobster, but the texture of a clam. They can be consumed raw (on the half-shell), steamed, fried, or in chowder. Razors live in the sediment as do hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) and soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria); however, they are extremely active and very fast diggers by comparison. Recreational shellfish enthusiasts find digging for razor clams by hand to be quite a challenge with a tasty reward!	.
Can you cook them? Yes, you can! Click Here for yummy recipes	Commercial shellfishermen - well - they find harvesting razors to be quite a nuisance. The fragile shells of these mollusks often break, damaging precious harvests. This is probably the reason you don't often find razor clams in your local fish market. Enter aquaculturists. They are always looking for new or innovative ways to grow shellfish. Aquaculturists are great problem-solvers. That is the reason that the Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center (NRAC*) has provided funding directly to the aquaculture industry to develop and optimize growout technology for the razor clam. Twelve shellfish growers from the Northeast are participating in this fascinating research project. Over the next two years, these hardworking aquaculturists will construct and modify equipment, measure the growth and survivability of the clams, and determine whether their own project is economically feasible—not a small task. Let us hope, for our bellies, that they are successful!	NRAC- is one of five regional aquaculture centers established by Congress that is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The center encourages cooperative and collaborative aquaculture research and extension educational programs that have regional or national application. CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL SHELLFISH COMMISSION TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN DIG RAZOR CLAMS IN YOUR AREA (USA).*
Back to Wrack Lines front page Back to Connecticut Sea Grant home page	Adapted from Wrack Lines Vol. 2 No. 1 Fall/Winter issue © 2002 Connecticut Sea Grant	Contact WRACK LINES editor

RAZOR CLAMS

Can you dig them?

Yes, you can!

Razor Clams …the Cutting Edge of Aquaculture !