Atlantic Surfclam
Spisula solidissima
Also known as Surfclam, Hen clam, Bar clam, Sea clam
Culinary Profile
When cooked, the white meat is mild and sweet.
Chewy.
Surfclams provide low-fat, high-quality protein and are an excellent source of selenium and niacin.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Surfclams are the largest bivalves found in the western North Atlantic. They grow up to 8.9 inches, although clams larger than 7.9 inches are rare. Their shells are thick, triangular, and yellowish-white with rounded edges and concentric ridges. Shells do not close fully and gape slightly.
Biology
Surflclams can live up to 35 years. On average, surfclams living in open water live longer than those living inshore. Surfclams grow fast, reaching a harvestable size of about 5 inches in 5 to 7 years. Growth rates depend on water temperature—southern surfclam populations in warmer water grow more slowly than the more northern populations.
Where They Live
Range Atlantic surfclams are found in the western North Atlantic from the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. They’re most abundant on Georges Bank, the south shore of Long Island, New Jersey, and the Delmarva Peninsula. Habitat Juveniles burrow in medium- to fine-grain sand in waters 30 to 80 feet deep.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round. Sold processed, rather than live, in fresh, frozen, and canned products such as breaded clam strips, minced clams, stuffed clams, chowders, and broth.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from New England to North Carolina. The United States is the only source of Atlantic surfclams.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2024, commercial landings of surfclam totaled 21 million pounds and were valued at approximatly $27 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Surfclams are the most important commercial clam species harvested in the United States. Commercial fishermen harvest surfclams with hydraulic clam dredges—essentially large, heavy sleds pulled along the sea floor. High-pressure jets blast water into the sediment, which temporarily liquefies it and allows a steel blade to pass through the first few inches of substrate and scoop the clams onto the dredge, where they are captured in a cage made of steel bars.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 106 Species
Where Atlantic Surfclam ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 | 11.28 µg | 5 / 106 | 95% |
| Iron | 1.62 mg | 11 / 111 | 90% |
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Zinc | 0.51 mg | 48 / 111 | 57% |
| Phosphorus | 198 mg | 70 / 111 | 37% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 43 mg | 82 / 104 | 21% |
| Selenium | 30.6 µg | 90 / 106 | 15% |
| Protein | 14.67 g | 91 / 111 | 18% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 64 mg | 92 / 104 | 12% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Atlantic Surfclam.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Atlantic Surfclam, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Atlantic Surfclam eat?
Surflclams can live up to 35 years. On average, surfclams living in open water live longer than those living inshore. Surfclams grow fast, reaching a harvestable size of about 5 inches in 5 to 7 years. Growth rates depend on water temperature—southern surfclam populations in warmer water grow more slowly than the more northern populations.
How deep does Atlantic Surfclam live?
Atlantic Surfclam inhabits depths of 30 to 80 feet. Range Atlantic surfclams are found in the western North Atlantic from the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. They’re most abundant on Georges Bank, the south shore of Long Island, New Jersey, and the Delmarva Peninsula.
What else is Atlantic Surfclam called?
Atlantic Surfclam is also marketed as Surfclam, Hen clam, Bar clam, Sea clam.
Is Atlantic Surfclam a good source of iron?
Per 100 g raw, Atlantic Surfclam provides 1.62 mg of iron — the protein matrix in fish flesh makes this heme iron, which absorbs more efficiently than the non-heme iron in plant sources.
How much selenium does Atlantic Surfclam provide?
A 100 g raw serving of Atlantic Surfclam carries 30.6 µg of selenium, about 56% of the 55 µg daily value for adults.
Sustainability Story
Stock Structure
According to the 2024 stock assessment the surfclam stock is not overfished and is not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to harvest surfclams has negative impacts to habitat, but the fishery is managed to minimize these impacts, particularly to sensitive habitat.
Bycatch
Fishing gear used to harvest surfclams is designed to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries , the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council , and state resource management agencies manage the surfclam fishery. Managed under the Surfclam-Ocean Quahog Fishery Management Plan : Fishermen must have a permit to harvest surfclams.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 22 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.