UP TO 50 PERCENT OF THE NORTHERN HARD CLAMS, M. MERCENARIA DIE IN THE GULF OF AMERICA BECAUSE OF PROLONGED HIGH WATER TEMPERATURES. A SECOND PROBLEM, LAWS IN NORTHERN STATES PROHIBIT THE SALE OF M. MERCENARIA CLAMS LESS THAN ONE INCH IN DIAMETER, A HUGE MARKET DOMINATED BY FOREIGN IMPORTS. THESE LAWS PROTECT AGAINSTGROWERS IN THE GULF OF AMERICA AND IN GEORGIA HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE VIABILITY OF GROWING HYBRID CLAMS WHICH ARE A CROSS OF THE COMMERCIAL CLAM M. MECERNARIA WITH A BETTER ADAPTED NATIVE CLAM M. CAMPECHIENSIS, THE SOUTHERN M,THIS PROPOSAL EVALUATES THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF HYBRID CLAMS, ASSESSES CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE, DEVELOPS PRICING MODELS, AND EXAMINES THEIR COMPETITIVENESS AGAINST IMPORTS.NEW MARKETS FOR HYBRID CLAMS WITH BETTER SURVIVAL WILL CREATE JOBS AND IMPROVE ECONOMICS TO REVITALIZE FISHING COASTAL TOWNS AND ASSIST WITH CLOSING THE SEAFOOD TRADE DEFICIT.