Although not exploited yet in Newfoundland they are widely distributed around the coast. Periwinkles have been harvested since the early 1950's in the Maritimes, the 1987 catch amounted to 220 tonnes. They are mobile and graze on algae. The Fishery Periwinkles have been harvested since the early 1950's in the Maritimes, the 1987 catch amounted to 220 tonnes. The harvesting is accomplished by hand picking during low tide.
Picking is done by fishermen and their families and often by students to supplement their incomes.
Most periwinkles are transported live. If meats are to be extracted they are boiled in salt water or steamed for 6-8 minutes and extracted by hand. The main market is ethnic Japanese communities in large North American cities such as New York, Boston, Montreal, etc. European markets also exist.