Subtidal Farm Site Harvest Requirements
Overview

During the ADF&G review of a proposed subtidal aquatic farm site for on-bottom culture of geoducks, a department biomass survey is done to determine if the proposed site contains more than an insignificant population of wild stock geoducks. An insignificant population of geoducks is defined as no more than 12,000 pounds of geoducks on a six-acre aquatic farm site or an average of no more than 2,000 pounds per acre of an aquatic farm site. The department cannot permit a subtidal aquatic farm site for the culture of geoducks that contains more than an insignificant population of geoducks.

During the course of operating a subtidal aquatic farm site that is permitted for on-bottom culture of geoducks, a farmer may harvest and sell an insignificant population of wild stock of the species approved for culture.

Wild stock geoduck harvest requirements for an Aquatic Farm Permit Holder are:

  1. Obtain a Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) Aquatic Farm Interim-Use Permit to harvest wild stock geoducks from the aquatic farm site.

  2. Notification:
    1. Provide ADF&G with a notification of harvest,
    2. Notify the department if wild stock and farmed geoducks will be landed at the same time,
  3. Reporting Requirements:
    1. Record the cumulative wild stock geoduck harvest from each site in the department issued logbook,
    2. Report all harvest information on a department Miscellaneous Fish Ticket at the time of landing,
  4. Wild stock population restoration security requirement
    1. Provide proof that the aquatic farm site has been reseeded since harvest of wild stock within 1 year of harvest day event.
    2. If proof not provided within 1 year, establish a security bond or certificate of deposit as a financial security for wild stock restoration.
  5. Wild stock population restoration
    1. Upon termination of the lease and operation permit, restore wild stock geoduck to the original population levels that existed prior to farming in the form of viable hatchery-produced stock remaining on the site.