Quahogs in eastern North America: Part I, biology, ecology, and historical uses. From: Marine Fisheries Review | Date: March 22, 2002| Author: MacKenzie, Clyde L., Jr.; Morrison, Allan; Taylor, David L.; Burrell, Victor G., Jr.; Arnold, William S.; Wakida-Kusunoki, Armando T. | COPYRIGHT 2002 U.S. Department of Commerce. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

The northern quahog, Mercenaria mercenaria, ranges along the Atlantic Coast of North America from the Canadian Maritimes to Florida, while the southern quahog, M. campechiensis, ranges mostly from Florida to southern Mexico. The northern quahog was fished by native North Americans during prehistoric periods. They used the meats as food and the shells as scrapers and as utensils. The European colonists copied the Indians treading method, and they also used short rakes for harvesting quahogs....