February 9, 2010
- Coos Bay / North Bend, Oregon
Extensive shellfish study aids local clammers
Empire clams are a handful By Erica Rush
CHARLESTON, Ore. -Shelling out for your shellfish licenses is paying off for local clammers looking for the best spots to dig, that is, if your favorite species is still available.
After a year and half of extensive research by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists revealed Thursday evening, the location, abundance and biology of clams found in the Coos Bay-North Bend area. Funded by the Oregon State Legislature, who approved the use of recreational shellfish license dollars for a limited-duration survey, biologists went to work at the inter-titled mud flats, looking for gapers, cockles, native little necks and butter clams. The research team was able to map out high density areas of particular species, something Project Manager Caren Brady says will be a useful tool for recreational clammers. "This mapping effort and this search effort by the ODFW will show people where some of the resources are and show where certain animals are abundant so it will definitely help folks find good places to do their activities," says Brady. A similar study was done back in the 1970's, allowing the biologists to compare stats and see how things have changed. Research revealed that gaper and butter clams are the most populous species in the Lower Coos Bay Estuary, however they also noticed a decline in the number of native littlenecks. According to Brady, "There are reports, not quite substantial yet, but reports that there might be a decline of native littlenecks throughout the Pacific Northwest." Brady says the Legislature is currently considering making this survey project a permanent part of ODFW, which would enable them to conduct similar surveys in other Oregon estuaries in the future. |
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