Currently, Delaware shellfish farms are solely producing Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica). However, the industry has expressed interest in diversifying their crop to farm not only oysters but other native, commercially important shellfish species such as Hard Clams (Mercinaria mercinaria) and Bay Scallops (Argopecten irradians). Members of the DECO are working with Rehoboth Bay oyster farmers and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to implement the cultivation of these commercially viable species into existing farm operations.
With the pilot shellfish hatchery now producing a steady supply of oysters to Delaware farms, hatchery staff were able to pivot some effort to experimental hard clam production using native clams harvested from Rehoboth Bay. One cohort of 6,000 hard clams were supplied to a commercial oyster farmer in July 2025. This is the first documented transfer of hard clams to industry in Delaware since the industry opened. Another clam spawn was conducted in August of 2025, which resulted in approximately 240,000 tiny hard clams – each just slightly larger than a grain of sand. These clams will be planted locally as an effort to restore natural populations.
