Clams Harvested in Oregon Estuaries

Home , Cobble (geology), Geoduck, Leukoma staminea, Nuttallia obscurata, Tresus capax, Tresus nuttallii

There are many species of bivalves found in Oregon, these are among the most o en encountered. Oregon bay clam identification Size ranges given are average shell lengths found by recreational users. Clams harvested in Oregon estuaries Gaper Pacific gaper Buer Cockle So shell Tresus capax Tresus nuttallii Saxidomus gigantea Clinocardium nuttallii Mya arenaria (Fat Gaper, Empire, horseneck, blue) • Shell long and narrow (Martha Washington, quahog, beefsteak) (Heart cockle) (Mud clam) • Identified by the large neck gape and concentric rings • Rare in Oregon, though common in Netarts • Identified by smooth concentric rings • Identified by its (~34) prominent, radiating ridges • Identified by its concentric rings and oblong egg-shape • End of neck is covered by leathery sheath • Found in deeper, sandier areas than the • Found in sandy, gravel or cobble substrates • Found shallowly embedded in sandy substrates • Found in most Oregon estuaries, adaptable more common (fat) gapers size 2-4'' to a wide range of salinities depth 4-12'' • Native to the East coast, introduced to the West coast in the late 1800s size 4-7'' depth 12-32''

Geoduck Young cockles often Panopea abrupta have mottled patterns • Extremely rare in Oregon; found in Netarts size 1½-3'' Mantle is ruffled and Coos Bay depth 0-4''

Lileneck Purple varnish size 1½-3'' depth 6-18'' size 2-4'' size 3-6'' Leukoma staminea Nuttallia obscurata depth 12-18'' depth >24'' (Steamer, native littleneck) • Identified by varnish like coating and purple interior A thin skin-like coating called periostracum covers the shells Shell shape: • Identified by concentric rings and radiating ridges • Native to Asia, introduced to Oregon in the 1990s of gaper clams and chips off over time. • Found in gravel or cobble substrates of marine Fat gapers and sometimes Pacific gapers are dominated estuaries, but also on outer coast • A comparison between occasionally mistaken for geoducks. The shell a softshell (top) and shape of fat gapers is more wide than long small gaper (bottom) when compared to the other two species. • Note the difference in shell shape of the area size 3-6'' size 1½-2½'' around the neck. depth 12-24'' depth 0-8'' Interior Other intertidal bivalves Where and how to clam

Bent-nose macoma size 1½-3'' Pointed macoma Bodega Tellin Olympia oyster Guidelines: Macoma nasuta Macoma inquinata Tellina bodegensis Ostrea lurida • The best clamming tides occur from spring to summer. • Small oval clam with Bentnose macomas • Small, oval clam • Has many fine, concentric rings • Pacific Northwest’s only native oyster . • Check for closures by calling the Oregon Department of distinctive bend at neck end (left) have a bend at • Neck end distinctly narrow • Found in sandy areas of • Found in upper estuarine areas of Agriculture (ODA) shellfish hotline: (800) 448-2474. • Unlike most clams, orients neck end when marine dominated estuaries Coos, Yaquina and Netarts compared to pointed horizontally in substrate macomas (below) • Clam harvesting is a non-competitive social experience, consider making trips with experienced clammers and sharing experience with fellow clammers.

• Bay clamming offers dependable, sustainable harvest of locally grown, organic, wild food which the entire family can enjoy harvesting and eating. size 1-2½'' size 1½-2'' size 1-2'' • Marine dominated estuaries (Coos, Yaquina, Tillamook, Netarts) offer the widest variety of bay clam species and largest Baltic macoma White sand macoma Rough piddock Blue mussel clam beds. Macoma balthica Macoma secta Zirfaea pilsbryi Mytilus trossulus • Estuaries with greater freshwater inﬂuence (Nehalem, Sand • Small clam, found • Largest of the macoma clams • A boring clam which drills its burrow • Identiﬁed by oblong shape and Lake, Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, Siuslaw, Umpqua, Coquille) have throughout estuaries • Distinctive ridge at neck end • Found in rock or sandstone areas of iridescent interior shell (nacre) softshell and purple varnish clam beds. • Interior often rose colored marine dominated estuaries • Attaches to rocks with byssal threads

Interior

Detailed maps, harvest techniques Interior and more available at:

www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellﬁsh size ¾-1½'' size 2-4'' size 3-5'' size 1½-3''