This~repo~ i,prOVided as background informati f r the November 25 hearing. This'répo i provided as background informatid% 1 r the November 25 hearing. The staff staff ill The ill be be providing providing aa review review of of clam resource resource at at that that the the status status of of he he clam \. time. time. ii 0 INFORMATIONAL REPORT REPORT INFORMATIONAL STATUS STATUS OF OF OREGON'S OREGON'S CLAM CLAM STOCKS STOCKS INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Razor along most most of of the the Oregon Oregon coast, coast, but but about about 90% 90% ofof the the i'ishery "fishery Razor clams clams occur occur along is on the the 18-mile IS-mil e Clatsop C1 atsop Beach Beach between between Tillamook Ti 11 amooki-lead Head near i de and is 1ocated located on near Seas Seaside and the the Columbia River. River. Columbia South of of Clatsop Clatsop Beach Beach the the fishery fishery is is sporadic sporadic with with clams clams available available South on1y only during duri ng some some years. years. Both Both recreational recreati ona 1 and and commercial commerd a1 fisheries fi sheri es are are active acti ve on on Clatsop Beach. Clatsop Beach. One to to five five species species of of bay bay clams clams are are dug dug from from 12 12 of of Oregon's Oregon's estuaries. estuaries. One Landing Landing statistics are fishery, but but data data for for the the sport sport f,ishery statistics are available available for for the the commercial comercial fishery, fishery is survey and and some some special special studies studies in in specific specific areas. areas. is limited limited to to the the 1971 1971 estuary estuary use use survey briefly reviews reviews clam clam life life histories, histories, regulations, regulations, research, research, and and This report report briefly This status of of the the resource resource. status RAZOR CLAMS CLM1S Life Li fe History H ifl9ry The sexes sexes in in razor are separate; separate; that that is, is, clams clams are are male male or or female. female. The razor clams dams are The The c1ams are are sexually sexually mature mature in in their their second second year year of of life 1He at at 3½ 3'-2 to to 44 inches inches in in length. length. clams clam has has the the spawning spawning potential potential of of 6-10 6-10 million million eggs eggs at at each each spawning. spawning. A female female clam A The The sex products products are are released released free free into into the the water water where where the the egg egg and and sperm sperm unite unite by by sex chance. chance. The The resulting resulting larvae larvae drift drift with with the the ocean ocean currents currents for for about about 8S weeks. weeks. When When the the clams clams settle settle onto onto and and dig dig into into the the bottom. bottom. the shell shell begins begins to to form form the Tagging studies studies have have shown Tagging shown that that razor razor clams clams move move up up and and down, down, but but not not laterally laterally through the the sand. sand. through However, However, wave wave action action frequently frequently washes washes the the small small clams clams out out of of to depos'it them in in another another location location. the layer of the top top layer of sand sand only only to deposit them The staff staff has has maintained for several several years The maintained for years that that the the bulk bulk of of the the spawning spawning stock. stock lies beyond the the reach reach of of the the diggers. diggers. lies close close offshore offshore beyond dug dug razor razor clams clams offshore offshore at at Seaside. Seasi de. In 1975 independent diver diver In 1975 an an independent Department Department of of Fish Fi shand and wn Wildlife d1 He divers di vers that razor razor clams are numerous numerous off off Newport Newport in in 12 12 to to 20 20 feet feet of of water water. determined determined that clams are -2- This is the the first first verification verification of of an an offshore offshore population population by by our our staff. staff. This is Razor Razor clams clams grow grow rapidly. rapidly. Spawning usually occurs occurs in in Mayor and the the Spawning usually May or June June and clams inch in in length length by by their their first first winter. winter. These clams will will average average clams reach reach one one inch These clams 3-3/4 inches in length by their their second second winter winter and and 3-3/4 inches in length by 4½ ~ inches inches by by their their third third winter. winter. The life span span of of razor razor clams clams is is 55 or or 66 years years in in Oregon. Oregon. The life Research Research Razor clam The Clatsop been monitored monitored Razor clam studies studies began began in in 1949. 1949. The Clatsop Beach Beach fishery fishery ha.s ha.s been 1955. continuously since since 1955. continuously Recreational commercial diggers diggers are are sampled sampled systemsystemRecreational and and commercial atically for for area area dug, dug, number number of of clams clams dug, dug, and and age age composition composition of of the the catch: catch~ atically Mark Mark and recovery recovery studies and studies were were done done to to determine determine age, age, growth, growth, rate rate of of har'vest, harvest, and and natural in 1952-54 1952-54 and and in in 1974-75. 1974-75.. The The physical physical parameters parameters of of the the razor razor natural mortality mortality in clams' habitat habitat were were studied studied in in 1965 1965 and and changes changes in in beach beach elevation elevation were were monitored monitored clams' from 1966-70. from 1966-70. AA drift drift bottle bottle study study in in 1963-64 1963-64 provided provided data data on the nearshore nearshore ocean on the ocean currents and and their their relationship relationship to to the the distribution distribution of of razor razor clams. clams. currents Regulations_ Regulations Prior Prior to to 1954 1954 the the recreational recreational bag bag limit limit for for razor razor clams clams was was 36 36 clams clams per per day. digger per per day. digger In 1954 1954 this this was reduced to to 24 24 clams clams per per person person per per day day regardless regardless In was reduced and no no more more than than 48 48 clams clams in in any any 77 consecutive consecutive days. days. of size size and of In 1967 1967 a a summer In summer closure from 15 through closure from July July 15 through August August 31 31 was was enacted enacted for for Clatsop Clatsop 8each Beach to to reduce reduce the the harvest of small clams. clams. harvest of small This This included included the the commercial commercial fishery fishery also. also. The limit on The size size limit on clams clams taken taken by by commercial commercial diggers diggers was was 1954. 1954, In limit was increased to to In 1954, 1954, the the size size limit was increased 3~inches 3½ inches prior prior to to ~ inches inches which which eliminated eliminated small small 4¼ clams from from the the catch increased utilization clams catch and and prov4ded prov4ded increased utilization of of the the resource resource by by allowing allowing to reach reach aa larger larger size size and and giving giving them them aa chance chance to to spawn spawn at at the the fast fast growing growing clams clams to least before harvest. harvest . least once once before . In In 1972 1972 the the commercial commercial size size limit limit was was reduced reduced to to 3-3/4 3-3/4 inches, inches, at at the the request request , ....................... -3-3- of the the commercial commercial industry. industry. of A sanitation from A certificate certificate of of sanitation from the the State State Health Health Division required in in 1972. 1972. Division was was required Catch and and Effort Effort Catch the sport take of of razor razor clams clams from fro!TI 1946. 1946. Figure Figure 1 1 shows shows the sport and and commercial commercial take commercial commercial catch catch once once dominated dominated the the fishery, fishery, but but the the The The 4~ 4¼ inch inch size size limit limit and and dramatic dramatic increase in competition competition with with sport sport diggers diggers greatly greatly reduced reduced the the catch. catch. increase in It is It is significant that that in in some some years years wastage wastage by by sport sport diggers diggers exceeds exceeds the the commercial commercial harvest. harvest. significant The commercial catch catch over over the the past past 15 15 years years has has amounted amounted to to 6-10% 6-10% of of the the total total catch. catch. The commercial The number nU~ber of of sport sport digger-trips digger-trips from from 1955 1955 is is shown shown in in Figure Figure 2. 2. The There has has There been increase in in the the number number of of diggers diggers with with moderate moderate fluctuation. fluctuation. been a a general general increase The The sudden in 1974 1974 coincided coincided with the gasoline gasoline crisis. crisis. sudden decrease decrease in with the The number number of of commercial commercial licenses licenses issued issued annually annually is is also also shown shown in in Figure Figure 2. 2. The The number of of diggers diggers reflects reflects the the relative relative abundance abundance of of clams. clams. The number yearclasses move move into into the the fishery, fishery, more more diggers diggers enter enter it. it. yearclasses able to enough clams clams to to pay pay for for their their $40 $40 license. license. able to dig dig enough As As t~~,strong the strong However, few few diggers diggers are are However, About About 10 10 diggers diggers take take 75% 75% of the the commercial commercial catch. catch. of Age CQlTIpositiojl Compgition Age The age age of of razor razor clams clams is is determined determined by by counting counting the the dark dark rings rings on on the the shell. shell. The The data show show that that prior prior to to the 58% of The data the 1967 1967 closure, closure, up up to to 58% of the the clams clams dug dug by by sport sport diggers were in their their first first year year of of life. life. diggers were in These clams are are 11 to to 33 inches inches in in length. length. These clams The harvest of of first first year year clams clams was was reduced reduced an an average average of of 13% 13% following following the the closure. closure. The harvest The razor razor clam clam fishery fishery consists second year clams with The consists mostly mostly of of second year clams with clams clams oldel' older than up only 15% of of the the harvest. harvest. than their their third third year year making making up only 15% The age age composition composition of the commercial catch shows shows that that the the 4¼-inch 4~-inch size size limit limit The of the commercial catch eliminated nearly nearly all all of of the the first first year year clams clams from from the the fishery. fishery. eliminated . -4-4- Status of the the Razor Razor Clam Clam Resource Resource Status of The intense fishery on razor razor clams clams removes removes aa large large portion portion of of the the population population The intense fishery on annually. annually. spawning potential potential of of razor razor clams clams and rapid growth growth Yet, the high Yet, the high spawning nd their their rapid are adequate adequate to to sustain sustain sport sport and and commercial commercial fisheries. fisheries. are Razor clams clams spawn spawn annually annually Razor and the resulting resulting larvae larvae are are distributed distributed by by the the ocean ocean currents, currents. and the The 1963-64 1963-64 drift drift The bottle bottle study study indicated indicated that that the the nearshore nearshore currents currents are are southerly southerly toward toward the the shore shore spawning and and setting setting times times or or razor razor clams, clams. during, the spawning during the Hence, continous supply supply Hence, a a continous clams is is available available to to Oregon Oregon beaches beaches with with some some of of the the larvae larvae perhaps perhaps of razor clams of razor Washington. originating in in Washington. originating The summer closure closure (also (also in in Washington) Washington) and and commercial commercial The summer size limit limit has has reduced reduced the the take take of of small small clams, clams, increasing increasing effective effective utilization utilization of of size the resource. the resource, The little consequence, The commercial commercial fishery fishery is is of of little consequence, taking taking only only up up to to 10% harvest, and providing supplemental supplemental income income for for aa few few people people and and clams clams 10% of of the the harvest, and yet yet providing for many many Oregon Oregon restaurants restaurants and and people people who who do do not not or or cannot cannot dig dig their their own own clams. clams. for BAY CLAMS CLN'1S LHe Hi stori es Life.Histories bay clams clams are are dug dug in in Oregon Oregon estuaries: estuaries: Five species species of of bay Five littleneck, and butter. butter. littleneck, and Cockle, gaper, softsheii, softshel1, Cockle, gaper, Our knowledge knowledge of of their their life life histories histories is is limited. limited. Our The The gaper during the winter while while all all the the others others spawn spawn during during the the spring spring or or gaper clam clam spawns spawns during the winter summer. summer. Growth rates vary between species; species, between between estuaries estuaries and and within within estuaries. estuaries. Growth rates vary between ~here is some some indication indication that that the the gaper gaper clam clam does does not not spawn spawn every every year, as some some age age There is year, as groups are are missing missing in in the the age age composition. composition. groups Determining the the age age of of bay bay clams clams is is aa Determining problem in in itself itself and and we we are are only only now now establishing establishing reliable reliable criteria criteria for for aging. aging. problem , C Research Research The studies studies done done on on bay bay clams clams prior prior to to 1972 1972 were short term, term, designed designed to to answer The were short answer specific questions questions about about specific specific areas. areas. specific The one one exception exception was was work work done done in in the the The 1950's 1950's to to determine determine the the identification, identification, distribution, distribution, and and relative relative abundance abundance of of bay bay . . -5-5- clams in Oregon's Oregon's estuaries. estuaries. clams in Some work was also also done done on on the the age age and and growth growth of of cockles cockles Some work was and in Yaquina and to to aa lesser lesser extent extent in in Coos Coos and and Tillamook Tillamook bays. bays. and gapers gapers in Yaquina Bay Bay and Clam Clam surveys conducted annually from 1953-69. 1953-69. Transects 50 feet feet were laid out Transects 2 2 x x 50 were laid out surveys were were conducted annually from dug tideflats tideflats in in 77 estuaries estuaries and and the the number number of of clams clams determined determined by. by. across heavily dug across heavily sight and feel. feel. This had limited 1imited value value because because only only adult adult clams clams were were detected. detected. This method method had sight and In 1972 1972 a a systematic systematic survey survey of of all all estuapies These surveys In estuaries was was begun. begun. These surveys include include intertidal and and subtidal subtidal clams. clams. The The first first phase phase of of the the study study was was to to determine determine both both intertidal and relative relative abundance abundance of of the the clams, clams, substrate substrate composition, composition, and and the distribution the distribution and vegetation. vegetation. The information was was plotted plotted on on maps maps and and the the area area of of the the clam clam beds beds The information determined. determined. In study aa hydraulic hydraulic dredge dredge was was used used to to determine determine In the the second second phase phase of of the the study clams and and population population estimates. estimates. species composition of of clams species composition are aged, weighed, and measured. measured. are aged, weighed, and Clams in the the samples Clams taken. taken in samples To date date Yaquina, Yaquina, Alsea, Alsea, and and Siletz Siletz surveys surveys are are To have begun begun on Netarts, Nestucca, Nestucca, Nehalem, Nehalem, Siuslaw, complete. Surveys have complete. Surveys on Tillamook, Tillamook, Netarts, Siuslaw, and and Coos bays. Coos bays. We have have determined determined that that the the subtidal subtidal clam clam populations populations are are much greater We much greater intertidal populations. populations. than the intertidal than the One 15-acre subtidal subtidal bed bed in in Yaquina Yaquina Bay Bay has has an an One 15-acre estimated population of of one clams of of aa harvestable harvestable size. size. estimated population one million million clams Clam density Clam density in in Yaquina subtidal bed bed is is 150 150 adult adult clams clams per per two two square square feet. feet. another Yaquina.subtidal another These These surveys surveys will will continue continue until until all all estuaries estuaries are are completed. completed. Sea Grant Sea Grant funds funds are helping helping to to continue continue this this work studies to to determine are work and and other other studies determine substrate-clam substrate-clam density relationships, current patterns estuaries, and and the ~ensity relationships, current patterns in in the the estuaries, the relationship relationship between subtidal and intertidal clams. clams. between subtidal and intertidal Catch Effort Catch and and Effort The 1971 resource provides the The 1971 resource use use survey survey provides the only only comprehensive comprehensive data data on on sport sport use use of estuaries. of Oregon's Oregon's estuaries. A report has has been been published published for for each each estuary, estuary, A separate separate report 500,000 users users spent spent 1,205,000 1,205,000 hours hours to to take take 2,951,000 2,951,000 marine marine fish, fish, but to to summarize, but summarize, 500,000 crabs, clams, and and miscellaneous invertebrates. crabs, clams, miscellaneous invertebrates. Clams made made up Clams up 55% 55% of of the the total total catch catch and Coos Coos being being the the most most important important clamming clamming bays. ba.ys. with, Tillamook, Tillamook, Netarts, Netarts, Yaquina, Yaquina, and with, '. -'i: . -6- Only the Rogue Rogue and Chetco estuaries estuaries have have no no records records of of clams. clams. Only the and Chetco The commercial commercial harvest harvest of of clams clams is is shown shown in in Figure Figure 3. 3. The fishery has fishery has dwindled dwindled to to near near extinction. extinction. A important A once once important In 1962 and and 1972 In 1962 1972 subtidal subtidal clam clam fishing fishing increased total commercial commercial clam clam catch. catch. This This effort effort has has been been sporadic. sporadic. increased the the total Status of of the the Bay Bay Clam Clam Stocks Stocks Status The foremost foremost problem problem in in our our bay bay clam clam management management was was lack lack of of data. data. The The The surveys surveys begun begun in in 1973 1973 are are providing providing us us with with a a data data base base from from which which to to work. work. Catch and effort data were taken in in 1975 1975 in in Yaquina, Yaquina, Netarts, Netarts, and and Tillamook Tillamook bays. bays. Catch and effort data were taken that some some regulation regulation changes changes are are needed. needed. Preliminary analysis analysis indicates indicates that Preliminary The The subtidal commercial commercial fishery fishery is is aa new new fishery fishery and and provides provides an an opportunity opportunity to to subtidal manage fishery before before unwanted unwanted or or poor poor practices practices cause cause management management problems. problems. manage a a fishery The staff has has developed developed criteria criteria to to manage manage the the fishery fishery and and protect protect the the resource. resource. The staff J ~·h(.\ '. .1' '~ 2.0 r 1.8 /\ i~ I / 1.6 1.6 /' 1.4 1.4 ~':.! l::'! i~11 i:"i:: ~ ..."" ... u ill 1.2 :*1 "sport 1·0,- 0 VI .-......c: ·8 0 - . .6 .6 .1- :;;: ~c,_",.! .4 ;',. ~,,------ .2 '. , I 1947 ii 4 i 49 49 I I 51 51 • I 53 53 ' I tf"\ .. . ~' "~~-~ • I . I ' I ' I . I , ! • I , I 55 55 57 57 59 59 61 61 63 63 '" 65 67 65 67 69 :., " f I • 71 71 ;:' i 73 73 75 Year Figure 1. 1. 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