The Alaska Department of Fish and Game conducted abundance surveys for razor clam at both Ninilchik and Clam Gulch beaches this April and May and preliminary results have found the abundance of adult (≥80mm) clams to be below the threshold required to open for a limited fishery in both areas, meaning the sport and personal use razor clam fisheries in east Cook Inlet will remain closed for 2022.
Razor clam abundance in the Ninilchik area was assessed at the south beach and the adult abundance was 103,020 which was 64% below the abundance threshold to open the limited fishery in the Ninilchik management area. Razor clam abundance in the Clam Gulch area was assessed at the north beach and the adult abundance was 829,572 which was 17% below the abundance threshold to open the limited fishery in the Clam Gulch management area.
Lower Cook Inlet Area Management Biologist Mike Booz said:
“Unfortunately, the number of adult clams on both beaches were not sufficient to support harvest opportunity this season. Both below average growth and high natural mortality rates resulted in fewer than expected adult clams for both areas.”
East Cook Inlet razor clam sport and personal use fisheries have been closed by emergency order since 2015. See emergency orders 2-RCL-7-01-22 and 2-RCL-7-02-22 for more details. This past March, the Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted a management plan that requires the adult razor clam abundance to meet or exceed 50% of the historical average abundance to open a limited harvest opportunity. Click here, for more information on the new shellfish regulations for Southcentral Alaska.
For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at (907) 235-8191.
