BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 19, 2021
Some commercially fished species in Maine have seen their numbers decline in recent years due to climate change, but one of the state’s clam fisheries is growing and could help provide another way for fishermen to earn a living. Northern quahogs, also known as hard clams, are among a handful of fisheries including Maine oysters — most of which are grown at sea farms — seaweed, and baby eels whose harvest volumes and values have increased over the past decade. Quahogs are mostly found in southern Maine, up to Sagadahoc county, but that is expected to change with time. As waters in the gulf continue to get warmer, Manomet will be able to help other towns and harvesters effectively manage local quahog populations. “The market has a lot of potential to grow,” said Marissa McMahan, director of fisheries for the ecological research organization Manomet.