The Sea Grant research studies looked at the impact of geoduck farming on the water, sediment, eelgrass and animals living in the sediment and at the surface. Select from premium Geoduck Clam of the highest quality. In 2007, the Washington Legislature sought to fill some of those knowledge gaps by funding a series of studies, led by McDonald and other University of Washington researchers, investigating the environmental impacts of geoduck aquaculture. Scientific Name: Panopea genersoa. We are planning a trip to Washington hoping that we can go clamming, geoducking, crabbing, shrimping, really anything, but we have no idea where to go. Geoduck farming techniques were pioneered by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife over concerns of over-harvesting natural geoduck stocks. We were out on our dig for 4 to 5 hours during the low tide. Indian Island County Park; Fort Flagler State Park; Dosewallips State Park; Penrose Point State Park; Eagle Creek; Dabob Broad Spit Geoduck farming occurs on about 200 acres of privately-owned So it makes the most sense in the world the college adopted the geoduck as its school mascot. WDFW is responsible for biological management and enforcement of WDFW regulations of this valuable resource. This may seem a bit "typical" but it's on the list! Weighs an average of 2.5 pounds and up to 10 pounds. Geoduck harvests represent an $80 million a year industry for Washington state and the Province of British Columbia, The Rewards of Scuba Hunting notes. Identical information is found on WDFW beach pages and the shellfish safety map, but it may be easier to search geographic areas of interest using the map tool. We caught 3 geoducks during our hunt. Geoducks grow rapidly, generally reaching 1.5 pounds in three to five years. See the sportfishing rule pamphlet for more information, or visit a license dealer. Chris Fitzgerald, KP News. For this reason, most of the sport digging is restricted to less than 20 tides a year. They’re especially popular when fried or in clam chowder. Digging for the elusive Geoduck Clam in the state of Washington They are found in beds of soft substrates (sand, mud, gravel and crushed shell) where they burrow into the ocean floor. Very low tides are necessary. From Long Beach and Ilwaco to Cle Elum and Ellensburg, here you can find the best ways to catch or find seafood in Washington. Clams do have differences: they all burrow, but long-necked ones like the geoduck sink lower than their short-necked kin. For help identifying clam, mussel and oyster (bivalve) species, download the shellfish identification chart. email. Booming geoduck farms move closer to shore Neighbors fear habitat near tideflats will be disrupted. This impressive clam in the Pacific Northwest is the geoduck (Panopea generosa). Geoduck are very popular targets for the recreational fishery but there is limited upland access to beaches that support intertidal populations of geoduck. Find the transition line between the solid rocks and the surf. Give your map a name or just continue to the next step to get your map's link. Geoducks have been observed with underwater video cameras living as deep as 360 feet in Puget Sound, and the vast majority of the population is subtidal. It’s always advisable to call the shellfish hotline the day of your dig to double-check for last minute closings. Give your map a name or just continue to the next step to get your map's link. The Olympian. Pull away any debris and tear the remaining geoduck breast from inside of the shell. Discover (and save!) Facebook. View a map of Nude Beaches and Clothing Optional Beaches locations near Washington. License: The most important item is a shellfish/seaweed license that is good from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. Cavelaro Beach WDFW Clam, Oyster https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches/240650/ Coupeville WDFW | Whidbey Island Closed to Harvest wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches/240170/ Dave Mackie County Park | Whidbey Island Closed to Harvest islandcountywa.gov/PublicWorks/Parks/Pages/dave-mackie-park.aspx DNR-100 WDNR | Whidbey Island Clam, Oyster, Boat Only wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches/260130/ DNR-101 and South Bush Point WDNR | Whidbey Islan… A Determination of Nonsignificance was issued for the activity on May 14, 1998. www.wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/shellfish-beaches. Key Pen beaches prime spots for geoduck harvesting. It's a soft life if you can eat, breathe and reproduce. There are 10 types of clams available for harvest in Washington state: manila, native littleneck, butter, varnish, cockle, macoma, horse, eastern softshell, razor clams and geoduck. All geoducks taken for personal use must be retained by the digger as part of their daily limit, regardless of size or condition. In fact, another indication of the health of geoduck beaches is that growers can replant geoduck within days of harvest.