ODFW News: Razor Clam meeting June 8

[Pete]

For Immediate Release Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Public meeting to be held June 8 on razor clam season

ASTORIA - A citizen petition to expand the current July 15 to Sept. 30 closure on razor clamming in Clatsop County will be the subject a public meeting to be held Tuesday, June 8, in Astoria.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host the meeting to gain public input on the petition and potential options that will be presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on June 11 in Baker City.

The citizen petition was submitted to the Commission in May due to concerns with razor clam wastage. The petition requests the closure begin before July 15 to allow small clams to grow larger. Some harvesters have been documented attempting to return a small or cracked razor clam to the sand in order to harvest a larger, intact clam. The current bag limit for razors is the first 15 clams taken, regardless of size or condition.

ODFW staff will present data and an analysis of a recent wastage survey from Clatsop Beaches before discussing options and taking public input. Informational handouts will be available.

The meeting will be held 6 - 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 8, at the Duncan Law Seafood Consumer Center Main Meeting Room, 2121 Marine Drive, in Astoria.

For more information, contact Matthew Hunter, ODFW shellfish biologist, in Astoria at (503) 325-2462, or Patty Burke, ODFW Marine Resources Manager, in Newport at 541-867-3000, Ext. 226.
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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002