exploreNW Spring-Summer 2021 | Page 38

Though typically smaller than a geoduck , horse clam ’ s are often bigger than the palm of your hand .
The beach offers a fabulous opportunity for those young and old to clam together , while physically distancing . carrie mccausland photo
too overpowering . For others , it is the meaning of life .
Before You Go
Arguably the biggest hurdle to the harvest is the research you need to do before heading out the door . Many macro-level variables are at play in the game of shellfish harvesting ranging from seasonal cycles and permits and regulation to ideal tide windows and marine toxin closures .
License : All Pacific Northwest shellfish harvesters need to hold the proper state license from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife ( WDFW ) or Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife ( ODFW ). The best resources to acquire said licenses are the organizations ’ websites , wdfw . wa . gov and myodfw . com respectively . Prices vary by state residency status and permit type , so see what you need and get ticketed up . You can purchase your permit online or at listed locations .
ID Quarry and Location : Before going out , identify what shellfish you ’ re targeting and the location from the listed areas on the aforementioned websites . One cannot roam their nearest local beach grabbing what they bump into from a legal nor successful tactic approach . Take the time on the website to make sure there is an opener for your desired shellfish at the desired location . Being flexible is key .
A state ’ s logic around shellfish openers may be mystifying for the lay harvester , but all shellfish openers are the result of codified rules balancing agreements to different interest groups with sustainability . In Washington state , longstanding treaties with Native American tribes entitle those communities to a subsistence harvest quota prioritized before recreational harvesting . Additionally , fishery scientists are constantly evaluating the health of the shellfish stocks and determining sustainable harvest levels .
Just know that there is a method to it all and we all do our part by playing by the rules . Deciding to harvest without a permit during a public closure is poaching , a serious insult to the Native American tribes , your fellow citizens , and Mother Nature .
Toxin Watch : The bad news about wild shellfish is the risk of marine pollutants such as naturally occurring toxic algae . The good news is that state agencies , like the Washington Department of Health ( WDOH ), are on the watch year-round to open or close recreational shellfish opportunities based upon rigorous testing .
Domoic acid is a specific measurement of note , a naturally occurring shane kempf photo
compound produced by toxic algae linked to Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning ( ASP ). WDOH has determined that domoic acid levels above 20 parts per million are unsafe for human consumption . Constant in-field testing ensures that recreational shellfish harvesting is closed when levels exceed the threshold . Closures due to domoic acid are announced on the websites of both Washington and Oregon departments of fish and wildlife .
Ideal Tides : You got your license , identified a beach with an opener for your target shellfish quarry , and the waters are clear of toxins . Great ! In the hustle to get out the door , it ’ s easy to forget to time your harvest with an ideal tide . From the burrowing clams to the affixed mussels , the general rule is that the lower the tide the better . Receding tide windows , that is a high tide transitioning to a low tide , are ideal for many kinds of clams like the razor clam . If the ideal tide is before or after daylight , you probably want to bring along a flashlight or headlamp .
What to Bring
One of the joys of shellfish harvesting is that you don ’ t need much to be in business . In addition to wearing weather appropriate clothes , a simple pair of knee-high waterproof boots suitable for tromping in shallow — but cold — tidal waters with warm socks is important . Angler-style waders are welcome but not strictly necessary . Shells can cut the
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