J
{n*8*
V
'-\ '/
MAY 2 2 1978
L$Bi{&[tY n4AY221e78
Marine Science
Science Laborato
l-aborarori
Marine
o
S
OregonState
State University
LTniversitv
Oregon
o
SHELLFISH
INVESTIOATION
SHELLFISH INVESTIGATIOI'i
o
S
INFORI,IATIOiI
REPORT
i{0. 78-3
IWFOR1ATIOJ
REPORT
UO.
78-3
o
THE1977
RAZOR
1977RAZOR
THE
CLA1I
FISHERY
CLAiiFIS}IERY
o
fl
o
By.
Terry Link
Terry
Link
o
C
S
o
e p a rtm ent
Fish and
Oregon D
Uepartmeht.of
and tJildl
lJildlife
I fe
"of Fish
S
o
S
Aprit 1978
April
tgtB
THE1977
1977RAZOR
RAZOR
FISHERY
CLAI.I
THE
CLAN
FISHERY
Razor
clarns
fromClClatsop
(Tillamook
Razor
ci
ams from
a ts op beaches
beaches (Till
Head
Colunsia
amook Head
-.- Col
umbi a River)
River). vrere
were
sampled
regularly from
fromiarch
ilarchthrough
sampled
regularly
gre,f€st
throughSegrtember
periodicallythe:
andperiodically
September and
rest of
of the
the
year.
Sport
year.
cornnprcialdiggers
Sport and
and commercial
diggenswere
intervievredto
to obtain
were interviewed
obtain catch
catch location
location
and number
numberand
andage
agecomposition
composition
and
of
of clams
clamsdug.
dug. Random
Random
age-leng,thsamples
age-length
samples and
and
wastage
sanrples
werecollected.
wastage
saMples
were
collected. Data
Data from
from other
other beaches
beaches south
south of'Tillamook
ofifliamoOk Head
Head
were
permitted.
collectedas
as time
were collected
timepermitted.
SPORT
FISHERY
SPORt
FISHERY
A calculated
calculated532,000
532'000clams
A
clamsincluding
includingwastage
wastagewere
were harvested
harvested sn
on 5,1'"000
5i00O digger
digger
trips to
to Clatsop
Clatsopbeaches.
trips
beaches. This
This represented
represented
57%decrease
decrease
in digger
aa 57%
in
diggertrips
trips and
and
a 65%
65%decrease
decreasein
in number
numberof
of clams
clamsdug
a
to
dug compared
compared
to the
the 1976
1976season.
season. The
Thetwo-mile
two-mile
Seasidebeach
beachaccounted
accounted
for 56%
56%of
Seaside
for
of the
digger trips
the digger
trips and
and,60%
60% of
of the
dug.
the clams
clams.dug.
Table
Table I1 lists
lists the
theharvest,
harvest,catchratesand
catch rates:andnumber
number
of diggers
di,ggers
by statistical
of
by
statistical area.
area.
t{astage
wasestimated
estimatedat
at 6.2%
6.2%or
Wastage
was
or 33,000
33,000clams.
clams. Clam
clamrtrastage
wasminimal
wastage was
ninimal
dueto
to reduced
reduced
diggingeffort
due
digging
effort in
in July.
July.
Agecomposition
composition
Age
of
of recreationaily
recreationallydug
dug
clamsreflected
reflected the
year class
the dominant
dominant
clams
1974
(age2)
1974year
poor1975
class (age
year class
2) and
anOthe
the poor
1975year
class
S
( T a b l e2)
(Table
2).
CO|{I4ERCIAL
COI1NERCIAL FISHERY
FISHERY
ln 1977,
t977,269'diggers
pounds
('l+3,000
harvested
In
269 diggers harvested
41,055
(143,000
clams).
41,055pounds
clams). ,seaside
Seaside beach
beach
accounted
for 59%
59%of
pounds
of the
the total
accoUnted
for
landed.
total pounds
landed. The
Theage
agecomposition
conpositisnof
of commercially
cormrcrcially
dugclams
clamsreflected
reflected the
dug
1974
year class
the dominant
dominant
1974year
class.by
by the
the increase
increase in
in two
two year
year
(Table3).
old
clams(Table
old clams
3).
Thecommercial
comnercial;fishery
took22%
22%of
of the
The
fishery took
the total
total clams
clams,dug.
A sample
dug. A
sampleof
of 161
16l
coruprcial catches
catchesleaving
cOmmercial
leaving the
the beach
beach indicated'that,
indicated that 14.4%
14.4% (punds)
(poUnds)were
sold
werenot
not sold
anpunting
poundsor
total ofof6,800:
6*800pounds
amountng
totoa atotal
clams.
or 23,600
231600,clams.
S
o
-2-2RAZOR
PRODUCTIOI{
CLA|4
RAZOR
CLAI4
PRODUCTIOI SOUTH
SOUTH OF
OF TILLAIIOOI(
T1LLA1OOK HEAD
HEAD
o
Datawere
obtainedfrom
from13
beaches
permitted.
13beaches
southof
Data
were obtained
south
as
TillamookHead
of Tillamook
Head
astime
tine permitted.
Table
lists the
4 lists
pertinentcatch
the beaches
beaches
productiveareas
Table 4
and
andpertinent
catchdata.
Themost
data. The
mostproductive
areas
wereCannon
cannon
Beach,Arch
ArchCape,
(t,rewport)r
cape,Cove
cove
Beach,
south
were
Beach,
Beach,
South
Beach
(iiewport),
and
Beach
i,ryersCreek
dildilyers
creek
o
(Gold
Beach). The
(Gold beach).
1976year
goodnumbers
class was
foundin
in good
The 197G
year class
was found
on
numbers
mostbeaches.
beaches.
onmost
HARVEST
SU|.II.IARY
HARVEST
SUIIIARY
o
Thesport
sport and
and commercial
commercial
fisheries harvested
The
fisheries
675,000 clams
harvested675,000
on Clatsop
clamson
ClatsopBeach
Beach
in 1977.
in
1977. A
drop in
in recreational
recreationaleffort
phasesof
in all
A drop
effort r,vas
was noted
noted in
of the
all phases
tourist
the tourist
industry on
on the
the north
north coast
coast during
during spring
industry
spring months;
months; this
may have
have accounted
accounted for
this nray
for
o
the drop
in effort
drop in
the
effort for
for the
fishery.
the sport
sport fishery.
Random
samples
in late
late 1976
Random
samples in
1976and
and1977
1977
goodset
indicateda
the 1976
1976year
class on
indicated
a good
set of
of the
year class
on the
the north
north encl
end of
of Clatsop
Clatsop Beach
Beach
in the
and
the Cannon
and in
Beach
area.
Cannon
Beach
area. This
shoulddisperse
dispersedigging
diggingeffort
in 1978.
This should
effort in
1978.
o
o
o
o
o
Table
lists annual
annualcatch
for the
catchdata
Table 5
5 lists
datafor
fishery.
the fishery.
o
-3-3Table
1. Sport
Table 1.
Sport Harvest
Harvest of
of Razor
Razor Clams
Clams and
and liumber
Diggers by
Humber sf
of Diggers
by Area
Area
ffrom
romClatsop
ClatsopBeaches,
Beaches,
f,larchto
4arch
September,1977.
to September,
1,977"
o
ifiles of
Area
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Beach
Number of
ri
Digging Trips
Clams Oug[
Digger Trip
Number of
Clams Dug
Number of
Clams Wasted
Harves
Total
1
1
3.6
3.6
4,274
4,274
10.9
10.9
49,151
49,151
3,249
3,249
5?,400
52,400
2
2
6.2
6.2
5
,884
5,884
la.?
10.2
6 1,456
61,456
4,062
4,062
65,518
65,518
3
3
5
.0
5.0
6,781
6,781
5
.?
5.2
35,303
35,303
2,333
2,333
37,636
37,636
4
4
t.2
1.2
5,450
5,450
9.5
9.5
51 , 5 5 2
51,552
3,407
3,407
54,959
54,959
5
5
2.0
2.0
2 9 ,0 5 9
29,059
10.4
10.4
301,323
301,323
L9,917
19,917
32L,240
321,240
T0tal
Total
1
8.0
18.0
51,448
51,448
498,785
498,785
32,968
32,968
531'753
531,753
9 . 6 t/
9.6'!
1
1 -2 -2
3
3 -4
4 -5
5 --
park Road
Columbia
Fort Stevens
to Fort
Columbia River
StevensPark
River to
Road
Fort Stevens
StevensPark
Park Road
Roadto
to Sunset
Sunset Beach
Fort
BeachRoad
Road
Sunset
Sunset Beach
Beach Road
Road to
to Gearhart
Gearhart Beach
Beach Road
Road
GearhartBeach
BeachRoad
Roadto
Gearhart
to Uecanicum
f{ecanicum
River
River
llecani
Ri
cum
(Seaside)
ver
to
Ti
I I anrook
Head(Seaside)
Necanicum River to Tillamook
Head
:!'I
Neighted
nean
Weighted mean
Table
Table 2.
2.
Year of
Harvest
Age
Composition,in
Age Composition,
Sport Dug
in percent,
percent, uf
of Sport
DugRazor
RazorClams
Clamsfrom
from
Clatsop Beaches,
Beachesnt972-19V7
Clatsp
1972-1977.0
1
2
3
4
5+
1972
1972
24.2
24.2
5 3 .B
53.8
18.2
18.2
3.4
3.4
0.3
0.3
0.1
0.1
1973
1973
32.4
32.4
49.9
49.9
8.1
8.1
8.5
8.5
1.,0
1.0
0.1
0.1
t974
1974
10.0
10.0
s 5 .3
55.3
24,3
24.3
6.9
6.9
3.3
3.3
0.2
0.2
1975
1975
24.4
24.0
46.0
46.0
17'6
17.6
9.8
9.8
2.3
2.3
0.3
0.3
1976
1976
1.4.6
14.6
78.9
78.9
2.8
2.8
2.CI
2.0
1.3
1.3
0.4
0.4
L977
1977
37.5
37.5
1
5.7
15.7
3
33.5
3.5
6.6
6.6
3
.8
3.8
2.9
2.9
year
10 year
averqse
average
21.
7
21 7
5B.E
58 5 - ,
13
9
13.9
4.6
4 6
l. l,
11
0
4 .22
J
-4-4T a b l e 3.
3.
Table
o
per cent, of
A g e Composition,
C o mp osition,
Age
in percent,
in
of Commercially
Commercially
Dug
Razor
DugRazor
Cianrsfrom
from Clatsop
Clatsop Beaches,
Clams
Beaches,t972-1977.
1972-1977.
Year of
H
arvest
Harvest
o
o
4
4
s
5
78.0
78.0
tt.4
11.4
4.7
0.7
0.0
0.0
1973
1973
2.0
2.0
67.4
67.4
13.3
13.3
15B
.
15.8
1.3
1.3
0.2
0.2
1974
1974
0.7
0.7
4
0.0
40.0
35.9
35.9
1.3.0
13.0
10.2
10.2
9.2
0.2
1975
1975
0.4
0.4
5 0 .B
50.8
t4.7
14.7
?0,6
20.6
11.9
11.9
1.6
1.6
1976
1976
8
.7
8.7
87.4
87.4
2.6
2.6
0.9
0.9
0.4
0.4
0.0
0.0
t977
1977
1.6
1.6
8.7
8.7
60.0
60.0
t2.0
12.0
10.6
10.6
7.1
7.1
10 year
averase
average
2.1
2.1
50.8
50.8
27.0
27.0
t3.B
13.8
5.6,
5.6
gJ
0.7
RazorClam
ClamCatch
CatchData
Datafrom
from Beaches
Beaches
Southof
TillamookHead,
of Tillamook
Razor
South
Head,1977.
Lgll.
Area
Sampled
No. of
Diagers
No. of
Clams
Clams!
Diciaer
Age Composition in Percentij
0
1
2
3
A
5
In d i a n Beach
Be a ch
Indian
20
2
0
0
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
CrescentBeach
Beacir
Crescent
00
0
0
0
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
CannonBeach
Beach
Cannon
44 6 2
62
15.5
15.5
9 9 .0
99.0
1.0
1.0
00
0
0
00
0
0
Arch Cape
Arch
Cape
1
1 14
14
1
4.0
14.0
99.2
99.2
00
00
0
0
0.9
0
.8
207
207
13.8
1r].B
96.5
96.5
1.5
1.5
.6
.6
.4
.4
.1
.1
.9
.9
7.6
7.6
13.0
13.0
82.6
8
2.6
4.4
4.4
0
0
00
0
0
Cove
tleach
Cove Beach
o
3
3
9
.9
9.9
Table4.
4.
Table
o
Z
2
0.0
0.0
o
o
1
t972
1972
o
o
0
0 __I
11
11
Short
Sands
Short Sands
5
5 38
Agate Beach
Beach
Agate
-
-
-
42.9
42.9
42.9
42.9
5.7
5.7
0
0
5.7
5.7
2.9
2.8
SouthBeach
Beach
South
({,lewport)
(Newport)
-
-
-
5s.4
55.4
t2.9
12.9
22.8
22.8
5.9
5.9
1.0
1.0
2.0
2
.0
Bastendorff
Bastendorff
2
2
15
15
7.5
7.5
70.0
70.0
20.0
20.0
10.0
10.0
0
0
00
0
0
S o . Slough
S l o u g hSpit
Spit
So.
(CoosBay)
(Coos
Bay)
4
4
26
26
6.5
6
.5
14.2
14,2
42.9
42.9
42.9
42.9
0
0
00
0
0
Si
xes
Sixes
0
00
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
llai
ly Beach
Beach
Baily
00
0
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
fviyersCreek
Nyers
Creek
648
6
6 9 .1
69.1
17.6
L7,6
10.3
10.3
j/
U
38
48
-
I n c l u d e sbiologist's
b i o l o g i s t r sssanple
Includes
ample
12.0
12.0
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
0
0
I'
J.
'^
- 5Table
Table 5.
5.
o
Year
Year
o
o
o
o
o
a
o
ffi
Ilumberof
o
number
Diqqers
Diggers
Sport
Clams!
Diqqer Trip
Trip
Digger
ikimber o
of
ClamsDug
Duq
Clams
Total
Total
l,Jastaoe
Harvest
Iastage
Harvest
295
295
904,000
904,000
56'ooo
56,000
21.6
21.6
295,000 2,411,000
1,212,000
295,000
2,411,000
1,212,000
1956
1956
253
253
490,000
490,000
60,000
60,000
L
7" 7
17.7
295,000 1,846,000
1 , 0 6 1 , 0 0 0 295,000
1,061,000
1,846,000
1957
1957
193
193
336,000
336,000
77 rA0A
77,000
21.4
21.4
1,646,000 416,000
416,000 2,398,000
1,646,000
2,398,000
1958
1958
221
221
386,000
386,000
89,000
89,000
19.9
1.9
1 , 6 7 9 , 0 0 0 218,000
218,000 2,283,000
2,283,000
1,679,000
1959
1959
118
118
179,000
179,000
54,000
54,000
L2.0
12.0
646,000 124,000
646,000
124,000
949,000
949,000
1960
1960
93
93
154,000
154,000
48,000
48,000
t2.4
12.4
596,000
596,000
46,000
46,000
796,000
796,000
1961
1961
5B
58
Bo'ooo
51,000
51,000
11.4
11.4
583,000
583,000
70,000
70,000
733,000
733,000
1962
1962
79
79
102,000
102,000
56,000
56,000
1 59
.
15.9
892,000 105,000
892,000
105,000 1,099,000
1,099,000
1963
1963
77
77
107,000
107,000
55'ooo
55,000
13.0
13.0
713,000
713,000
1964
1964
125
125
125,000
125,000
71,000
71,000
15.5
15.5
I , 0 9 8 , 0 0 0 264"000
1,098,000
264,000
1,487,o0o
1,487,000
1965
1965
213
2L3
399,000
399,000
76'ooo
76,000
14.9
L4.g
l , 1 3 4 , 0 0 0 186,000
186,000 1,719,000
1,134,000
1,719,000
1966
1966
217
217
282,000
282,000
78,000
78,000
13.6
13.6
1 , 0 5 2 , 0 0 0 434,000
434,000 1,768,000
1,052,000
1,768,000
1967
1967
297
297
494,000
494.,000
74,000
74,000
1.9.9
19.9
1,472,000 195,000
1,472,000
195,000 2,161,000
2,161,000
1968
1968
340
340
361,000
36
1,000
64,000
64,000
13.0
13.0
831,000
831,000 162,000
162,000 1,354,000
1,354,000
1969
L969
185
185
111,000
I 11,000
59,000
59,000
14.4
14.4
851,000
851,000
1970
t97A
79
79
61,000
6
1,000
56,000
56,000
1.2.B
12.8
715,000 125,000
715,000
125,000
134
t34
123,000
123,000
77,000
77,000
12.6
L2.6
968,000 213,000
968,000
213,000 1o
304,000
1,304,000
76
49,000
49,000
69,000
69,000
9.2
9.2
636,000
636,000 139,000
139,000
824,000
824,000
111
89,000
B9,000
76,000
76,000
9
.5
9.5
725,000 159,000
725,000
159,000
973,000
973,000
1974
t974
58
5B
32,000
32,000
44,000
44,000
7.9
7.9
347,000
347,000
1975
t9v5
146
146
171,000
171,000
75,000
75,000
10.5
10.5
1976
1976
391
391
7n,400
717,000
119,000
119,000
12.0
v.a
1977
L977
269
269
143,000
143,000
51,000
51,000
9.6
9.6
l,iean
4ean
175
775
256,000
256
"000
67,000
67,000
14.0
14.0
1971
t97t
1973
1973
a
Commercial
Uumber of Ikimber of
Diggers
Diggers
ClamsDug
Dug
Clams
1955
1955
1972
t97?
a
AnnualHarvest
Harvest and
Annual
and Effort
Effort Data
for the
Data for
the Sport
Sport and
and Commercial
Comrnercial
Fishery.
Fishery.
11.1
80,000
70,000
70,000
890,000
890,000
155,000
155,000 1,117,000
1,117,000
5,000
5,000
901,000
901,000
384,000
384,000
785,000 157,000
785,000
157,000 1,113,000
1,113,000
63,000 2,211,000
1 , 4 3 1 , 0 0 0 63,000
1,431,000
2,211n000
499,000
499,000
33,000
33,000
675,000
675,000
938,000 171,000
171,000 1,365,000
938,000
1,365,000