APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
Clam production in Alaska is principally razor clams, 
because most hard clams and cockles are found in areas sub- 
ject to shellfish poisoning and clam harvesting is pro- 
hibited. From a peak of three-quarters of a million pounds 
in the early 1950s, razor clam production decreased to less 
than 100,000 pounds in the late 1960s and later increased 
to about 200,000 pounds. The great reduction in razor clam 
harvests was primarily attributable to harvesting restric- 
tions because of the danger of paralytic shellfish poison- 
ing. 
In Alaska the clams are abundant, but full commercial 
use is restrained. For 21 years, Alaska was not a member of 
the National Shellfish Sanitation Program, and without this 
membership, Alaska processors were not allowed to ship fresh 
or frozen clam products interstate. This was a major ob- 
stacle inhibiting growth and development of the Alaska clam 
fishery. As of March 1975, the State was readmitted to the 
National Shellfish Sanitation Program. With this obstacle 
removed, Alaska clam resources can be more fully used. How- 
ever, continued National Shellfish Sanitation Program member- 
ship is necessary for the fishery to remain. 
The availability of clams is limited by the number of 
beaches certified safe for clam harvest. More State re- 
sources are needed for source-beach certification and moni- 
toring if processors are to have a sufficient source of 
supply. Another obstacle that exists in Alaska is that 
relatively little knowledge exists about the size and 
location of stocks and about many important biological 
characteristics pertinent to effective planning. 
Harvesting capability 
Generally, there is sufficient harvesting capacity in 
clam fisheries, although overfishing in the surf clam fishery 
indicates excess harvesting capacity. Improvements are 
possible in harvesting efficiency in some soft clam and hard 
clam areas, but as noted in the opportunity section, gear 
restrictions are a limiting factor. 
In the Washington clam fishery, adequate harvest capa- 
bility exists. In Alaska the ability to compete against the 
east coast clam products and the foreign imports depends on 
the development of an environmentally safe and productive 
clam dredge. If introduction of the dredges is delayed, so 
will the growth of the fishery because of Alaska's very high 
cost of labor. Conflicts may also arise in Alaska between 
land narvesters and dredge harvesters over access to the ap- 
proved clam beaches. 
62 
