Common Hard clam

Pond culture of hard clam in Taiwan started in 1970. The success of seed production occurred in 1981 that led to a dramatic aquaculture expansion. Production of hard clam has increased over the last 10 years. In 2012, the yield of hard clam was 62,969 mt in quantity.

The hard clam has many alternative common names. It is also known as the Northern quahog, round clam, or chowder clam.

Meretrix lusoria, the hamaguri, Asian hard clam or common Orient clam, is a species of saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Veneridae, the Venus clams. This species is native to Asia, found along water beds and the coastal waters of China, Korea and Japan. It is commercially exploited for sushi, and its shells are traditionally used to make white go stones.

The hamaguri clam is the subject of a haiku by Matsuo Bashō.