Can geoducks be farmed?
Geoduck have been farmed in Puget Sound for over 15 years. As of the end of 2006, approximately 150 acres have been planted in geoduck in Puget Sound – 1/1000th of the total tidelands in Washington. The potential to expand geoduck farming is limited. Geoduck are not easy to grow.
Where can I find geoduck clams?
Related species grow from Argentina to New Zealand and Japan, but the largest geoducks reside on North America’s Pacific Coast. There they support commercial fishing in southeast Alaska, British Columbia and Washington, where the geoduck trade got its start.
How do they harvest geoducks?
Wild and cultured geoducks are harvested by first loosening the substrate around them using a powerful nozzle that ejects high-pressured water. Once loosened, the clams are collected by hand and placed in crates for transport to a processing facility.
Where can I fish geoduck?
Area Fished Pacific geoducks are commonly targeted in areas containing shallow mudflats accessible at low tides, including Morro Bay, Bodega Bay, Tomales Bay, and Humboldt Bay. They may also be targeted in other areas, but the exact locations are unknown.
Who is responsible for the geoduck clam harvest?
Commercial geoduck clam harvest is managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is responsible for biological management and enforcement of WDFW regulations of this valuable resource. A competitive bid process is used to sell harvest contracts to the highest responsible bidder.
Where to find geoduck clams in Washington State?
For a link to internet tide tables for Washington State, CLICK HERE. How to Locate Them ; Probably the best way to locate these clams would be to go to the link to WDFW website giving links to public locations and other information, at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/geoduck/ .
How long does it take for geoduck clams to grow?
The clams are planted as seed and grown out from 5 to 7 years until they are large enough to be sold commercially. Geoduck clams are a prized delicacy, particularly in Asia, where they retail for more than $125/pound.
Where does geoduck farming occur in Puget Sound?
Geoduck farming occurs on about 200 acres of privately-owned tidelands throughout Puget Sound. Geoduck aquaculture is not the same as the wild stock geoduck fishery, which involves harvesting naturally occurring clams in the subtidal zone between -18 and -70 feet.