

Most marine jurisdictions have a bay constable charged with enforcing fish and game laws, and you should contact their office to ensure you are compliant with local regulations.
UDIG VIRGINIA BEACH LICENSE
This is the exception and not the rule, but many areas require some form of license to harvest shellfish. For example: Despite defeating the British in 1783, New York’s Town of Southampton still uses a decree from King James the Second issued in 1686 to control who may harvest shellfish in the hamlet. But some townships own the bottom of the bay, and regulate access only to residents of that community. In most areas, shellfish belong to the people of the state in the same manner that wildlife does. Just who owns the clams varies greatly by locality. Shellfish regulations can be confusing even for folks well versed in the subject.
UDIG VIRGINIA BEACH HOW TO
Joseph Albanese How to Legally Harvest Clams The author and his son digging for clams. Poor water quality caused by runoff or industrial pollution will cause closures to shellfishing areas, as will harmful algal blooms and red tides. Because they obtain nutrients directly from the water, clams can harbor marine toxins and affect anyone that eats them. You’ve undoubtedly heard the phrase “you are what you eat,” and this is most applicable to filter feeders such as clams. There are many reasons why harvesting clams would be prohibited, but the most common involves water quality. Where to Find Clams in the Wildīefore you start digging, you need to make sure the area you plan on going to is open to shellfishing. Look for them anywhere from Canada to the southern states, but keep in mind that warm water temperatures limit their range. Steamers can be found in both mud and sand flats, but the “ arenaria” in their name means sandy, and they seem to show a preference for that substrate. Soft shells are often steamed, as their name suggests, or breaded and fried in sandwiches and served with French fries. Soft shell clams, Mya arenaria, are referred to as steamers, Ipswich clams, and perhaps most notably, piss clams because of their propensity to squirt water when you wander too close to their holes. There’s nothing like fresh raw clams on the half shell.
