Re: What is a Surf Clam?

Dear Pete,

According to the American heritage dictionary, a surf clam can be 
described as any of various usually large edible clams of the family 
Mactridae, commonly living in the surf of coastal waters.

Surf clams are often the "fried clams" featured on menus across the 
country. Surf clams average 41/2 to 8 inches across. 

They're taken by hydraulic dredges from sand or gravel habitats in depths 
of 10 to 300 feet. The fast-growing, vegetarian clam matures in five to 
seven years and is found from Long Island to southern Virginia. More than 
half come from New Jersey, and New York is a significant contributor. 


Here is a link that provided me the information about surf clams: 
 
http://www.seafoodhandbook.com/shellfish/shell04.html 

Best wishes,
Elsa