Species profile
Atlantic Jackknife
Ensis leei
At a glance
Atlantic Jackknife (Ensis leei) is a bivalve mollusk present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
Confirmed by 5,011 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Massachusetts, Nova Scotia, and New Jersey the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Named for its long, narrow shell that closely resembles a straight razor or folding knife.
- Uses a powerful muscular foot to burrow rapidly into sandy substrate when threatened.
- Found in sandy intertidal and subtidal habitats from Nova Scotia to South Carolina.
- A popular seafood delicacy in coastal Europe, particularly Spain and Portugal.
- Shells can reach up to 6 inches in length.
Where Atlantic Jackknife are seen
Background
The Atlantic jackknife clam, Ensis leei, also known as the bamboo clam, American jackknife clam or razor clam, is a large edible marine bivalve mollusc found on the North American Atlantic coast, from Canada to South Carolina. The species was also introduced to Europe at the end of the 1970's and is already extremely abundant there in suitable habitats. The name "razor clam" is also used to refer…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Atlantic Jackknife article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other clams/oysters/mussels on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.