LEFT: Vandenburgh examines a 

 crab pot for stone crabs that will 

 be used in an experiment. 

 BELOW: Vandenburgh digs up the 

 experimental plot within the cage. 



Core and southern Pamlico sounds is intended to allow 

 areas that are kicked to recover. Austin says the rotation 

 system has worked in the White Oak and New rivers, 

 and he supports the plan for the Core and Pamlico areas. 



It is the new rotation plan that gave Vandenburgh a 

 unique research opportunity — to study bottom areas 

 before and after being kicked. 



THE STUDY 



So far, Vandenburgh says, the clam fishery in Core 

 Sound has not been sustainable, with harvests dropping 

 and fewer boats participating. By special permit, 

 Vandenburgh and Goodwin were able to sample areas 

 that have been open as well as areas closed to clam 

 kicking since 2001 . They also sample an area of southern 

 Pamlico Sound, where kicking is not done, in order to 

 study the variations in clam populations overtime. 



Sampling of bottom areas is done both by a huge vacuum-cleaner-like 

 device called a suction dredge, as well as from Goodwin's kick boat, which 

 will give realistic data about the impact of the fishery. 



Data currently are being analyzed for 2001 and 2002. Vandenburgh 

 hopes that findings will help in managing the fishery to assure a sustainable 

 resource. 



She and Goodwin received new FRG funding in 2003 to continue the 

 2001-2002 study. The new project also will evaluate the potential of 

 spawning stock sanctuaries to enhance clam recruitment and future yields. 



Austin says part of the problem with clam populations is that the 

 spawning stock was depleted. The technology of clam kicking allowed for 

 harvesting in deeper water. "Thafs where the spawning stock was," he says. 



Vandenburgh notes in her research proposal that, when fishing pressure 

 increased in the mid 1 970s, "virgin stocks of large chowder clams up to 48 

 years old were harvested in the creeks of Core Sound along Core Banks." 



Spawning stock was depleted statewide as a result of that fishing 

 pressure, according to Vandenburgh's proposal. 



The current study will evaluate whether clams are recruited to public 

 areas from a seven-acre lease where clams are grown to spawning size prior 

 to harvesting. 



a 



mm 



And Vandenburgh will continue to study the effects of clam kicking on 

 the virgin population and the recovery of the previously overharvested area. 



For Vandenburgh, the collaboration underscores that "fishermen are 

 tough people." 



"We're out a really long time," she says. "It takes two hours to get to 

 Pamlico, so we're out there easily 1 5 to 1 6 hours." 



It will be worthwhile, as Vandenburgh believes the information 

 gleaned from the study will "be helpful to North Carolina fishermen. I would 

 like to have it used by DMF to manage the fishery and make it a reliable 

 resource." 



RESEARCHING THE HABITAT 



Trish Murphey, shellfish biologist with the DMF, says that clam kicking 

 began picking up in the mid-1 970s when a bad winter up north caused "an 

 increase in demand down here." 



Prior to the 1 970s, waters were open statewide, Murphey says. 

 Then, in the late 1 970s, restrictions were placed on amounts harvested and 

 on fishing seasons. The successful clam-kicking rotation plan between the 

 New and White Oak rivers started about 20 years ago. 



The regulations not only were intended to prevent overharvesting hard 

 clams, but also were intended to protect habitats. Seagrass beds, for instance 



18 HOLIDAY 2003 



