Results of the 1976 southern California pismo clam census

Abstract

A Pismo clam, Tivela stultorum, census was conducted in January 1976 on selected southern California beaches. Effort and catch information was collected through clamer interviews. Estimates for January 17 on beaches sampled were 3,296 clammer-hours, 2,170 clammers, and 10,739 legal clams (4.5 inches or larger) harvested. Clams were collected for age and growth studies. Samples of clams from the Long Beach to Newport Beach pier area demonstrate the fastest growth rates of any Pismo clams reported in the literature. Clams begin to be recruited to the fishery at age 40 months. (14pp.) The 1974 year class was the largest on beaches sampled. Recruitment to the fishery will be poor for the 1976-77 and 1977-78 seasons and clamming will be dependent on large older clams.