Floods Ravage Clams

Sun., June 8, 1997

Staff And Wire Reports

Shellfish

Clams, most of which are saltwater species, are suffering from a second year of freshwater baths caused by spring flooding.

Some species, especially cockles, have declined in recent years along the Oregon and Washington coasts because they are found in the middle parts of the bays, where freshwater influences linger after each freshet.

In a normal year, more than 60 percent of all bay clams harvested in Oregon are cockles.

“They have taken it hard this year and last year because of all the freshwater,” said state shellfish biologist John Johnson of Newport. “Cockles are not in good shape at all, other than (in) Netarts Bay. Netarts doesn’t have much freshwater influence.” Johnson worries about predictions of continued wet weather.

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