Clam Digging Closed Again for 2019 on the Eastside for the 5th continuous year

In 2018, all Eastside Cook Inlet beaches will remain closed to recreational clamming due to the continued low abundance of mature sized razor clams. Any razor clam harvest in 2018 will likely delay recovery of east side Cook Inlet razor clam populations. The closure prohibits the taking of any clam species from Eastside Beaches and will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, January 1, 2018 and will be in effect for the remainder of the year. The affected area runs from the mouth of the Kenai River to the southernmost tip of the Homer Spit.

Since 2014, the annual abundance of mature sized razor clams have remained at historical low levels at Ninilchik and Clam Gulch beaches due to high rates of natural mortality and insufficient recruitment of juvenile (<80mm) and mature (≥80mm) sized razor clams. Although annual recruitment of juvenile and mature sized razor clams have been low, in 2016 and 2017 well above average recruitment of juvenile sized razor clams were detected on both Ninilchik and Clam Gulch beaches. The above average recruitment signals that the population may be beginning to rebound. These beach sections will again be surveyed in 2018 so recruitment trends of juvenile sized razor clams to the beach and to mature sized can be assessed.

Cause of the decline in razor clam abundance remains unknown but may include a combination of heavy surf, habitat changes, environmental stressors and predation. The above average recruitment of juvenile sized razor clams observed in 2016 and 2017 indicates that razor clam abundance on these beaches can rebuild naturally.

This closure does not affect recreational razor clam regulations on Westside Cook Inlet beaches.
If you have any questions, please contact the ADF&G Homer Office at (907) 235-8191.