ABSTRACT
This chapter constitutes a preliminary investigation into the international markets for fresh and frozen clams, mussels, and oysters with a special section devoted to United States imports of fresh and frozen clams and oysters. It focuses on the production and movements of shellfish using data obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation's Yearbook of Fishery Statistics, 1977 to 1987. The chapter examines the quantity and countries of origin for fresh and frozen clams and oysters coming into United States ports. It discusses potential impacts on public health arising from trade in these major molluscan shellfish products. However, the health risk associated with the import of class remains much higher when considering that five percent of total clam imports come from countries which have not signed agreements. The large increases in the production of clams in China in the past few years should be of concern to clam producing and consuming countries.
