Geoduck Clamming

October 7, 2021

Question: I’d like to know the rules for catching geoduck clams at Dillon Beach in Marin County. Can I use a hand pump to catch them, or do I have to dig them out by shovel?

Answer: Since March 2021, you can no longer use hydraulic pumps to extract clams. While you must dig for them by hand, you can use certain devices to help, including suction devices commonly known as slurp guns or clam guns. California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 29.20(c) makes it unlawful to possess any hydraulic devices, or other device, capable of liquifying sand to aid in the harvest of clams anywhere clams may be taken. CCR, Title 14, section 29.20(c) states the following:

(c) Gear restrictions. It shall be unlawful to use anything other than the following hand-operated devices to take clams: spades, shovels, hoes, forks, rakes, devices that use suction to remove clams commonly known as slurp guns or clam guns, or rigid pipes used to prevent the collapse of holes when digging for clams. It shall be unlawful to use any other device to take clams, including any hydraulic devices. It shall be unlawful to possess a hydraulic pump, or other device, capable of liquifying sand to aid in the harvest of clams anywhere clams may be taken. It shall be unlawful to possess any such unauthorized device, except in their permanent residence, concurrently with any clam. No instrument capable of being used to dig clams may be possessed between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, on any beach of this state, except tools and implements used in the work of cleaning, repairing or maintaining such beach when possessed by a person authorized by appropriate authority to perform such work.