March 22, 2017
Action: The minimum size limit for Manila, native littleneck, cockle, or butter clams taken for personal use from public tidelands on the west side of Quilcene Bay north of the county boat ramp is increased from 1 1/4 inches to 1 1/2 inches measured across the longest dimension of the shell.
Effective Dates: April 1, 2017, until further notice.
Species affected: All clams.
Location: Quilcene Bay Tidelands.
Reason for action: Removes the exception to the state-wide minimum size limit for clams at Quilcene Bay Tidelands. The smaller minimum size of 1 1/4 inches was in place because historically clams on the public tidelands in Quilcene Bay tended to be stunted and did not often reach the standard minimum harvest size of 1 1/2 inches.
Changing ecology, likely related to a decrease in oyster biomass on the Quilcene Bay Tidelands, has resulted in more normal growth patterns for Manila clams at this location. State and tribal co-managers have agreed that the smaller minimum size restriction for clam harvest on the west side of Quilcene Bay, north of the boat ramp, is no longer necessary. This change in the minimum legal size is implemented for both state and treaty fisheries.
Information Contact: Camille Speck, WDFW Port Townsend Office, (360) 302-3030, ext. 313
Effective Dates: April 1, 2017, until further notice.
Species affected: All clams.
Location: Quilcene Bay Tidelands.
Reason for action: Removes the exception to the state-wide minimum size limit for clams at Quilcene Bay Tidelands. The smaller minimum size of 1 1/4 inches was in place because historically clams on the public tidelands in Quilcene Bay tended to be stunted and did not often reach the standard minimum harvest size of 1 1/2 inches.
Changing ecology, likely related to a decrease in oyster biomass on the Quilcene Bay Tidelands, has resulted in more normal growth patterns for Manila clams at this location. State and tribal co-managers have agreed that the smaller minimum size restriction for clam harvest on the west side of Quilcene Bay, north of the boat ramp, is no longer necessary. This change in the minimum legal size is implemented for both state and treaty fisheries.
Information Contact: Camille Speck, WDFW Port Townsend Office, (360) 302-3030, ext. 313