A new shellfish species has been discovered in the Azores, in the bay of Praia da Vitória, in Terceira, a population of razor clams, whose viability for exploitation “is now being studied by the Regional Government.”
The discovery was made by the Ocean Studies Group and Naturalist – Science and Tourism during the “Azores 2023” expedition.
This expedition by the Ocean Studies Group led to the discovery of a population of razor clams (Solen Marginatus – lingueirão in Portuguese) in the bay of Praia da Vitória, on Terceira Island, in the Azores, Naturalist said in a press release.
The discovery was made by Professor Alberto Machado, founder of the Ocean Studies Group, during the “Azores 2023” expedition, which, in partnership with the start-up MARE Naturalist – Ciência e Turismo, and in collaboration with OKEANOS (Institute for Research in Marine Sciences), of the University of the Azores, “are committed to coordinating mapping work and the feasibility of exploiting the species.”
The researchers believe that along with “the famous clams from Caldeira de Santo Cristo” on the island of São Jorge, “limpets and snails, this could become a unique delicacy, a target for exploitation and an alternative to commercial harvesting in the region if properly regulated.”
According to Naturalist, Ciência e Turismo, an academic company in the Azores founded by researchers from the University of Lisbon and the Azores, the feasibility of exploiting the new species “is now being studied by the Regional Government of the Azores, through the Regional Fisheries Directorate.”
The company says that the results of the initial campaign have already been submitted for scientific publication, and a proposal has been made to the Regional Government to fund a study of its distribution and abundance to support management measures for sustainable exploitation.
Until further notice, harvesting the new species “is prohibited,” warns Naturalis.

In Diário dos Açores, Osvaldo Cabral, director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance)  at California State University, Fresno.