Yaquina Bay Subtidal Survey: 2026 Data Summary for Bay Clam Populations

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: D'Andrea, A.F.

Publish Date: 2026

Online Link:

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Tony D'Andrea

Job Position: Shellfish Assessment Project Leader

Telephone: 541-961-9596

E-Mail Address: tony.f.dandrea@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: In the 1970s, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) partnered with Oregon Sea Grant and the Department of Land Conservation and Development to fund extensive surveys of shellfish populations and estuarine habitats in 15 Oregon estuaries. The results of these studies were published as estuary-specific “Raccoon reports” (Bottom et al. 1979) and the “Hancock report” (Hancock et al. 1979). These decades-old reports are still the primary source for Oregon bay clam population and habitat information, and therefore the need for more recent information is paramount. This is particularly true for Yaquina Bay located near Newport, Oregon. This bay has a long history of supporting recreational and commercial clam harvest and has experienced increased urbanization and development since the last major resource studies were conducted in the 1970s. Thus, there is a pressing need to update shellfish and estuarine habitat information in this bay. In 2008, the ODFW Shellfish and Estuarine Assessment of Coastal Oregon (SEACOR) project was established to repeat the extensive estuary surveys of the 1970s and update the resource maps and data that are used by state and local governments to better manage estuarine resources. SEACOR conducted shellfish and habitat studies of the intertidal regions of Yaquina Bay in 2012, but funding limitations prevented the inclusion of similar studies in the subtidal regions of the bay. In 2019, SEACOR conducted a limited subtidal survey along a section of the northern shoreline of Yaquina Bay. This permitted SEACOR to update subtidal data for the bay in areas where increased subtidal commercial clamming effort on gaper clam (Tresus capax) populations had been occurring since 2018. This survey was used by ODFW to establish a gaper clam quota and a subtidal harvest area for the dive clam commercial fishery (OAR 635-005-0290, OAR 635-005-0355). A new subtidal bay clam survey was recently conducted in May and June 2026 as part of the ODFW SEACOR 2025-2026 Yaquina Bay estuary assessment. The goal of the survey was to 1) conduct an extensive subtidal survey of bay clams in the subtidal areas of Yaquina Bay to complement intertidal bay clam surveys, 2) assess the status and spatial distribution of bay clam populations in Yaquina Bay, and 3) update biomass estimates for gaper clams to manage the commercial clam fishery. The purpose of this summary is to address goal 3 and portions of goal 2 to assist the ODFW shellfish program in managing the commercial bay clam dive fishery in Yaquina Bay.

Purpose:

Time Period of Content: 2026

Geographic Extent: Yaquina Bay, Oregon

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source:

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

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

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown