Oregon Bay Clam Distribution, Abundance, Planting Sites and Effects of Harvest, Annual Report October 1, 1977 to September 30, 1978

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Gaumer, Thomas F., Gregory P. Robart, and Anne Geiger

Publish Date: 1978

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: Cedric.X.Cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: Studies were continued on the distribution and abundance of bay clams in Oregon's estuaries. Maps showing distribution of clams, substrate type and vegetation type in Tillamook, Netarts and Salmon River estuaries are presented. Experimental releases of juvenile butter and gaper clams were made in an attempt to evaluate feasibility of supplementing natural clam stocks. Only one of three experimental plantings produced surviving clams one year after release. In 1977 six commercial clam harvesting permits were issued (five in Yaquina Bay and one in Coos Bay). A total of 69,057 pounds (31.3 mt) were taken from Yaquina Bay and 11.931 pounds (5.4 mt) were harvested from Coos Bay. Over 99% of the total harvest was on gaper clams. In Yaquina Bay catch per effort averaged 229 pounds/hr (103.9 kg/hr) whereas in Coos Bay the catch/effort averaged 157 pounds/hr (71.2 kg/hr). In both bays the fishery was primarily on clams five years in age and older. In 1978 five permits were issued to commercially harvest subtidal clams in Oregon's estuaries (4 in Yaquina Bay and one in Coos Bay). Approximately 155,400 pounds (70.5 mt) were harvested in Yaquina Bay and 27,505 pounds (12.5 mt) were taken from Coos Bay. As in 1977. gaper clams were the target species. In Yaquina Bay the suction pump was the primary method of harvest while the water jet was used entirely in the harvest from Coos Bay. Catch per effort in Yaquina Bay averaged 420 pounds/hr (190.7 kg/hr) and in Coos Bay, 262 pounds/hr (118.9 kg/hr). Studies on water turbidities adjacent to the suction pump surface discharge showed that all detectable particulate material had settled out of the water column within 175 feet (53.3 m) of the discharge. No evidence of turbidities was observed near the jet harvesting operation. We continued to monitor the growth of laboratory produced clams planted in Netarts and Yaquina bays.

Purpose:

Time Period of Content:

Geographic Extent: Netarts and Yaquina bays

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source: National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration United States Department of Commerce Commercial Fisheries Research and Development Act Project Number 1-122-R Segment 2 Contract Number 820840 RAB

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).

Bibliography Information

Field Name	Value
Biblio ID	31180
Year	1978
Publisher
Request Type	Annual Progress Report
Location	Salem HQ
Date Created	1978 November
Date Cataloged	10/18/2007
Date Published	1978
Type	stp edge
Pages	65 pp
Volume
Status	2
Descriptor	Oregon Bay Clam Distribution, Abundance, Planting Sites and Effects of Harvest | Annual Report
Date Entered	2007-10-18 12:29:33
Location In Clackamas Library	clams, N1E
Author	Thomas Gaumer; Gregory Robart; Anne Geiger
Duplicates	0
Number Remaining After Requests
Presumed All Distributed
Back Room Duplicates	0
Author
Risk
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Disposition Of Requests

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown