Production then steadily increased to the mid 1970s when both the volume and value of New York's hard clam harvest reached record high levels, and then started to decline again. From 1980 to 1985 the annual harvest decreased from over 400,000 bushels to 183,000, increased again to almost 238,000 bushels in 1989, and then declined to 185,000 bushels in 1992. Since 1992, production increased slowly each year to 1997 when the annual harvest reached 234,000 bushels. A variety of methods are used in New York to harvest hard clams. Most baymen use hand gear, primarily rakes or tongs .
Rakes are the predominant type of gear.
Baymen generally keep several different rakes on hand with different teeth and handles of different lengths which are used in areas of varying depths and bottom composition. Tongs are another traditional type of gear used to harvest clams. A tong consists of two metal basket ends attached to two 10 to 18 foot long handles. Specialized skills and considerable physical stamina are required to successfully use both rakes and tongs. Raking or tonging is generally conducted from 20 to 35 foot boats with an outboard motor.