Washington State Shellfish Committee meets June 08
The geoduck (pronounced gooey duck) clam is the largest burrowing clam in its natural range throughout Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Much interest has been shown in the culture of this clam, which at maturity at an age of 6-8 years weighs about 1 kg. It has been known to live for 146 years. It is very popular in Asian countries.
The Department of Ecology web site states that in 2007, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill relating to shellfish aquaculture. This bill:
- Commissions a series of intertidal geoduck aquaculture scientific research studies to be led by Washington Sea Grant.
- Creates a Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee with members representing a wide range of perspectives.
- Directs Ecology to develop Shoreline Master Program guidelines for geoduck aquaculture operation siting and operation.
- Directs the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife to expand the information required for aquatic farm registration.
The Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee has three tasks under this legislation:
- Developing recommendations for an integrated regulatory process for all current and new shellfish aquaculture projects.
- Advising Ecology on new geoduck aquaculture guidelines to assist local Shoreline Master Program updates. These guidelines are to be adopted by rule into Ecology's Shoreline Master Program Guidelines. We anticipate that the rule process will occur roughly mid-2008 to mid-2009.
- Oversight of the intertidal geoduck scientific research program authorized by the bill. The Committee will advise Sea Grant on research topics and priorities, and ensure that research meets planning, permitting and data management needs.
The 14 members of the Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee represent the shellfish industry, the environmental community, shoreline property owners, four state agencies (Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, Agriculture, and Natural Resources) and tribal governments. The next Committee meeting will be held on June 08, 2008. The project will conclude by June 2009
