The Atlantic surf clam (Spisula solidissima), also called the bar clam, hen clam, skimmer, or simply sea clam, is a very large, edible, saltwater clam or marine bivalve mollusk in the family Mactridae. It is commonly found in the western Atlantic Ocean. Reaching up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) or more in length, it is much larger than the related surf clam, which resides in the eastern Atlantic waters off of Great Britain.
 
The meat that is left over is separated from the “belly” and is referred to as “salvage” within the clam industry. This meat includes the adductor muscles, which are the strong muscles that close the two halves of the shell and which tightly hold the clam’s shell in the shut position. “Salvage” is typically ground up for use in chowders, sauces, and dips, and is commercially available either in cans or frozen. Locally it is available fresh. The substantial “belly” of the clam is used by some fishermen as bait for striped bass and other species.