W&M ScholarWorks VIMS Articles Virginia Institute of Marine Science 2016 Effects Of Clam Aquaculture On Nektonic And Benthic Assemblages In Two Shallow-Water Estuaries Mark Luckenbach Virginia Institute of Marine Science JN Kraeuter D Bushek Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsarticles Part of the Marine Biology Commons Recommended Citation Luckenbach, Mark; Kraeuter, JN; and Bushek, D, Effects Of Clam Aquaculture On Nektonic And Benthic Assemblages In Two Shallow-Water Estuaries (2016). Journal Of Shellfish Research, 35(4), 757-775. 10.2983/035.035.0405 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at W&M ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in VIMS Articles by an authorized administrator of W&M ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Journal of Shellfish Research, Vol. 35, No. 4, 757–775, 2016. EFFECTS OF CLAM AQUACULTURE ON NEKTONIC AND BENTHIC ASSEMBLAGES IN TWO SHALLOW-WATER ESTUARIES MARK W. LUCKENBACH,1* JOHN N. KRAEUTER2,3 AND DAVID BUSHEK2 1Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William Mary, 1208 Greate Rd., Gloucester Point, VA 23062; 2Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, Rutgers University, 6959 Miller Ave., Port Norris, NJ 08349; 3Marine Science Center, University of New England, 1-43 Hills Beach Rd., Biddeford, ME 04005 ABSTRACT Aquaculture of the northern quahog (¼hard clam) Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus, 1758) is widespread in shallow waters of the United States from Cape Cod to the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Grow-out practices generally involve bottom planting and the use of predator exclusion mesh.