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Overview

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Commercial clam fisheries in Alaska include a dive fishery for Geoduck clams (Panopea abrupta) in Southeast Alaska and intertidal fisheries for hard shell clams (principally littleneck clams, Protothaca staminea) and razor clams (Siliqua patula and S. alta) in Cook Inlet.

Geoducks are large clams found from southern California to the Gulf of Alaska, with commercial quantities in Washington, British Columbia, and Southeast Alaska. The shells are up to 20 cm long and the animals can live well over 100 years. The meat of geoducks is prized as a fresh product, but due to paralytic shellfish poisoning concerns, requirements for testing, and the large distance between the state’s testing lab in Palmer and harvest areas in Southeast Alaska, it is difficult to market live clams. The dive fishery for geoducks has historic roots similar to those of the sea cucumber and urchin dive fisheries in Southeast Alaska, that is, the fishery developed in Alaska once similar fisheries developed and markets were established in Washington and British Columbia. Geoducks are managed according to the Southeastern Alaska Geoduck Fishery Management Plan, which requires that GHLs to be based on surveys done within the preceding 12 years. The maximum harvest rate is about 2% and openings are established for discreet beds. Divers use a handheld water jet to dig the clams out from the substrate where the clams may be over a meter deep.

Littleneck and other hard shell clams (cockles and butter clams) are dug by hand shovel in the Kachemak Bay area. A commissioner’s permit is required. GHLs are set annually based on intertidal clam surveys conducted by the department. Razor clams are dug with shovels and clam “guns.” Current and historical harvest areas are sandy beaches of lower Cook Inlet, the Alaska Peninsula, and near Cordova.

Recent statewide clam harvests have averaged about 750,000 lb worth slightly more than $1 million (5-yr avg harvests and clam harvests, 1984-2004).

[Based on excerpts from the publication, Commercial Fisheries in Alaska, Woodby et al. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Special Publication 05-09, June 2005 (PDF - 1,059K). Information or data on this web page may have been updated and may no longer match the original publication.]

 

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Last updated: August 28, 2008