Whatcom
County MRC Projects -
Whatcom
County Clam
Surveys
Over
200 community volunteers have helped conduct clam surveys along Whatcom
County beaches. Beginning in 2004, surveys have been completed
along beaches at Birch Bay, Semiahmoo Spit, Chuckanut Bay, Marine Park
in Bellingham, Birch Point, from Point Whitehorn to Cherry Point, Point
Roberts, Marine Park in Blaine, and on Lummi Island. Please join
us this summer!
- Why Survey Clams
- Survey Specifics
- 2004 and 2008 Surveys
- 2005 and 2009 Surveys
- 2006 and 2010 Surveys
- Reports
- Next Steps
In
many Whatcom County shoreline areas, native clams may serve as
indicator
species and help us gain an understanding of the health of the
shellfish
resource, water quality impacts, and harvesting impacts. The goals of
this project are to gain a greater understanding of the populations of
native and introduced shellfish in Whatcom County and to involve
members
of the community in protecting this resource.
Birch Bay is one of the largest recreational shellfish harvesting areas in Whatcom County. Birch Bay is currently on the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shellfish area watch list as "threatened". A threatened status indicates that the DOH has noticed a downward trend in water quality at least one of their regular sampling sites in the bay.
Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Spit have also historically provided tribal,
commercial,
and recreational shellfish harvesting opportunities. Portions of
Drayton
Harbor were closed to shellfish harvesting due to poor water quality
in 1995. In 1999, the entire harbor was closed. Efforts to improve
water quality have been underway for several years and levels of fecal
coliform bacteria have been decreasing in many areas of the watershed
and harbor. Due to these efforts and improvements in water quality,
in 2004 a portion of Drayton Harbor was upgraded to a conditionally
approved status. See also Drayton
Harbor Shellfish Protection District.
Areas of Chuckanut Bay were closed to shellfish harvest in 1994 after tests showed high counts of fecal coliform bacteria. Improvements have been made to protect water quality, such as surveying and upgrading septic systems, but there is still more work to be done to protect water quality and the shellfish resources.
The purple varnish clam (Nuttalia obscurata), also
known as the mahogany clam, is a recent addition to Whatcom County
shorelines. Through these community clam surveys, we are able to
track abundance and distribution of this non-native species.
The
clam surveys are conducted along multiple transects, lines running
from
the
shoreline to the water’s edge at low tide. Volunteers dig
sample
holes every 40 or 100 feet along each transect. The substrate (mud,
sand,
gravel, and cobble) is sorted to find the clams living in each hole.
The clams are sorted by type and size, counted, and then returned to
the survey hole.
The methods for this survey are based upon Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) protocols described in Procedures to determine intertidal populations of Protothaca staminea, Tapes philippinarum, and Crassostrea gigas in Hood Canal and Puget Sound, Washington (1996). Some adaptations are made to accommodate the large survey size, to return the clams to the sample holes, and to use community volunteers. Minor adaptations are also made between surveys to improve our efficiency and accuracy in the field and to adjust to the size of the survey areas.
*photo - Transect marker indicating the start a transect.
Field
Data Sheet
King
County Shellfish Key
Birch
Bay Surveys
The first Birch Bay clam survey was conducted on June 6th, 2004. Twenty-five people participated in the Birch Bay clam survey, with over half of the volunteers joining us from the Birch Bay Community. Twelve transects were surveyed with sample holes every 100 feet. There were a range of six to forty-nine holes per transect. The types of clams found in Birch Bay included varnish, manila, native littleneck, macoma, butter, eastern softshell, and horse clams.
Birch Bay was surveyed for the second time on August 2nd, 2008. Forty-six volunteers, including Boy Scouts and parents from Troop #483 and Birch Bay residents participated in the survey. Twelve transects were surveyed, starting just northeast of Birch Bay State Park. Transects were sited every ¼ mile around the bay, to just east of the entrance to the Birch Bay Village marina. Because of the extensive Birch Bay tideflats, sample holes were situated every 100 feet along the transects. The majority of clams found were varnish clams (87%), although manila, native littleneck, macoma, cockle, butter, eastern softshell, and horse clams were all documented.
*photo - Surveys are a great way for family members to spend the day together. Birch Bay survey volunteers.
Birch
Bay Survey Fact Sheet
Survey Protocols
2004 Survey Results
Semiahmoo
Spit Surveys
The 2004 Semiahmoo Spit clam survey was a coordinated effort of the MRC and Drayton Harbor Community Oyster Farm. It was conducted on July 16th and 17th, 2004. Twenty-four people participated in the Semiahmoo Spit clam survey. Our volunteers were diverse with some even coming from Michigan and Florida! Fourteen transects were surveyed with sample holes every forty feet. There were a range of two to forty-three holes per transect. The types of clams found along Semiahmoo Spit included varnish, manila, native littleneck, macoma, butter, eastern softshell, and horse clams.
Semiahmoo Spit was surveyed for the second time on June 21st, 2008. Fifteen transects covering both sides of the spit were surveyed with the help of 39 volunteers. The first transect was situated near Semiahmoo Spit County Park, and transects were sited every ¼ mile to Semiahmoo Resort, and then again on the Drayton Harbor side just past the marina. Transects on the Semiahmoo Bay side were long, ranging in length from 600 feet to 2,160 feet Transects on the Drayton Harbor side were much shorter due to the muddy substrate. Sample holes were dug every 40 ft. along the transects. Macoma and littleneck clams (both manila and native) were the most abundant, followed by varnish clams. Additionally, cockle, butter, eastern softshell, and horse clams were found.
*photo - A beautiful day for a survey on Semiahmoo Spit.
Semiahmoo
Spit Survey Fact Sheet
Survey Protocols
2004 Survey
Results
Chuckanut Bay (Mud Bay) Surveys
The first Mud Bay clam survey was conducted on August 24th, 2004. Nine people participated in the Mud Bay clam survey which covered a much smaller area than some of the other surveys. Six transects were surveyed with sample holes every forty feet. There were a range of eleven to thirty holes per transect. The types of clams found in Mud Bay included varnish, manila, native littleneck, macoma, butter, eastern softshell, and horse clams.
Mud Bay was surveyed for the second time on August 16th, 2008. Twelve volunteers helped survey six transects. Because of the small size of Mud Bay, transects were located approximately 1/8 mile from each other. Sample holes were dug every 40 feet along transects. Transect 1 began near the northwest side near the railroad trestle, and transect 6 was located near the Chuckanut Creek salt marsh. A variety of clams were documented, dominated by both manil and native littlenecks. In addition, varnish, macoma, cockle, butter, eastern softshell, and horse clams were found.
*photos - Mud Bay at low tide.
Chuckanut
Bay Survey Fact Sheet
Survey Protocols
2004 Survey
Results
Marine Park Bellingham Surveys
The
Marine Park survey was conducted on May 26, 2005. Fourteen people
participated in this survey. Thirteen transects with sample holes
located every forty feet were surveyed. The transects at Marine Park
were fairly short in comparison to other survey sites with the number
of sample holes ranging from two to eight. The types of clams found at
Marine Park included native littleneck, butter, horse, macoma, manila,
eastern softshell, cockle, and varnish clams.
*photo - Learning about clams is an important component to clam surveys.
Marine Park
Survey Fact Sheet
Survey Protocols
2005 Survey
Results
2009 Survey Results
Birch
Point Surveys
The Birch Point survey was conducted on June 23, 2005. Seventeen people participated in this survey. Ten transects were surveyed with sample holes located every forty feet. The transects at Birch Point had a range of three to thirty-three sample holes. The types of clams found along Birch Point included native littleneck, macoma, butter, horse, manila, eastern softshell, cockle, and varnish clams.
*photo - A variety of clam sizes were found at Birch Point.
Birch Point Survey Fact Sheet
Survey Protocols
2005 Survey
Results
2009 Survey Results
Survey Locations
Point
Whitehorn/Cherry Point Surveys
The Point Whitehorn/Cherry Point survey was conducted on July 23, 2005. Twenty-eight people participated in this survey. Fourteen transects were surveyed with sample holes located every forty feet. The transects at this survey site had a range of two to eleven sample holes. The types of clams found along this stretch of shoreline included native littleneck, macoma, butter, varnish, horse, eastern softshell, cockle, and manila clams.
*photo - Survey volunteer near a flag marking a sample hole location.
Point Whitehorn/ Cherry Point Survey Fact Sheet
2009 Survey Results
Survey Location
Marine Park Blaine Surveys
The first Marine Park Blaine survey was conducted on June 24, 2006. Fourteen people assisted with the survey covering 6 transects over the vast tideflat. Clams were sampled every 100 feet along each transect and the amount of sample holes ranged from 8 to 38. The surveyors found horse, varnish, manila, macoma, eastern softshell and few native littleneck, cockle and butter clams at this survey site.
Marine Park will again be surveyed for clams on Saturday, June 26, 2010. For information or to volunteer to help, please email or contact Whatcom County Public Works at (360) 676-6876.
Marine Park Blaine Survey Fact Sheet
Survey Protocols
*photo - Survey volunteers in Marine Park.
Lummi Island Surveys
The first clam survey on Lummi Island was conducted on July 10, 2006. Fourteen people assisted with the survey over 9 transects. Clams were sampled every 40 feet along each transect with sample holes ranging from 4 to 19 along the transects. Clams found along the Lummi Island shoreline include horse, varnish, manila, native littleneck, macoma, cockle, butter, and eastern softshell.
Lummi Island will again be surveyed for clam populations on Tuesday, August 10. For information or to volunteer to help, please email or contact Whatcom County Public Works at (360) 676-6876.
Lummi Island Survey Fact Sheet
Survey Protocols
*photo - Surveyors returning clams to holes, Lummi Island.
Point Roberts/Lily Point Surveys
The first clam survey at Point Roberts was conducted on August 8,
2006. Sixteen people assisted with the survey, which took
place on two very different beaches in Point Roberts. At Maple Beach
clams were sampled every 100 feet along three transects with 20 to 30
sample holes. Surveyors found an astounding amount of varnish
clams at this location, while a few manila, macoma, cockle, and eastern
softshell clams were also found. At Lighthouse Marine Park
clams were sampled every 40 feet along 10 short transects
which were evenly distributed from the north to the south
shoreline of the park. Sample holes at Lighthouse Marine Park
ranged from three to five per transect. Types of clams found
at this survey site include low numbers of horse, varnish, native
littleneck, and butter clams.
*photo - Surveyors sample cobble substrate in Point Roberts.
Point Roberts Survey Fact Sheet
Survey Protocols
Lily Point Survey Fact Sheet
Survey Protocol
2009 Survey Results
2010 Survey Results
Whatcom County Clam Surveys 2004-2006 (2007)
Mapping of Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee Clam Survey Results (2007)
These surveys will provide
baseline information about the types, numbers and sizes of clams found
in Birch Bay, Semiahmoo Spit, Mud Bay, Marine Park, Birch Point, Point
Whitehorn/Cherry Point, Marine Park Blaine, Lummi Island,
and Point
Roberts. While there are general data describing where shellfish are
found in Whatcom County, there has been limited species-specific data
available.
The Whatcom MRC will use the information generated through these surveys to:
- Describe the clams that are found in Whatcom County to the community, local agencies, and visitors.
- Work with the community to provide more information to residents and visitors about how to protect this valuable resource.
- Help identify potential sites for clam enhancement.
