Contact:
Carol Kerkvliet
Assistant Area Fisheries Biologist
Phone: (907) 235-1730

The bag and possession limits for littleneck and butter clams in Cook Inlet and Resurrection Bay will be reduced from 1,000 littleneck clams and 700 butter clams to a combined limit of 80 clams for the sport, personal use, and subsistence fisheries beginning at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2011.

Department survey data for Jakolof Bay show littleneck clam density declined from 21 clams per square meter in 2001 to three clams per square meter in 2010. Similarly, Jakolof Bay butter clam density declined from three clams per square meter to one clam per square meter over the same time period. Survey data for China Poot Bay upper and lower islands show littleneck clam density declined from 44 and 27 clams per square meter in 2000 to three and one clams in 2009. Butter clam abundance at China Poot Bay has remained stable. Data from other surveyed sites in Kachemak Bay also indicate declines. The cause of these declines in clam abundance is unknown.

The bag limits of 1,000 littlenecks and 700 butter clams were established when abundance was high and were intended to distinguish commercial from noncommercial harvesters. These large limits no longer reflect current levels of abundance.

The minimum size for littleneck clams is 1.5 inches in length across the widest part of the shell and the minimum size for butter clams is 2.5 inches in length across the widest part of the shell. Sublegal littleneck and butter clams should be reburied with the siphon “up”; otherwise, they can’t rebury and will die. Refill holes to prevent smothering adjacent clams and other intertidal organisms. Clams may be taken only with rakes, shovels, manually operated clam guns, or by hand.

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