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North Carolina Department of Environment Quality

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Marine Fisheries - Blood Arkshell Clam

Marine Fisheries

Blood Arkshell Clam

Anadara granosa

Appearance: The blood arkshell clam is relatively small (up to 1 inch). Deep ridges radiate vertically from the hinge to teh shell edges with rough surfaces. Shells are white to cream colored with dark patches near the shell edges. The hinge area very straight. In its raw state, the viscera exhibit deep blood-red color (see last photo). They are ypically sold whole and frozen. These clams should not be confused with the ponderous arks also detailed in this gallery.

Native Area: These shellfish originate primarily from southeast Asia.

Public Health Significance: Not approved for consumption in the United States. As of 2005, Korea was the only Asian country that had adopted National Shellfish Sanitation Program guidelines and the only country to have its shellfish processors listed in the USFDA Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL). Any raw shellfish, including these blood arks, originating from countries not listed in the ICSSL should be deemed adulterated and disposed of or embargoed.

N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries • 3441 Arendell Street • Morehead City, NC 28557 • (252) 726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632

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