A family trip to the "Clam Capital of the World" turned costly for a California mother after her children mistakenly collected clams, thinking they were seashells. Charlotte Russ and her five kids were enjoying a day at Pismo Beach when the children picked up 72 clams, not knowing they needed a fishing license to do so, ABC 7 reported.
California Mother Fined $88,000 After Kids Mistakenly Collect Clams Instead Of Seashells
A California mother, Charlotte Russ, was fined $88,000 after her children mistakenly collected 72 clams, thinking they were seashells, during a family trip to Pismo Beach.
The family바카라s clamming misadventure came to an abrupt halt when the Department of Fish and Wildlife approached Russ, informing her of the regulations and issuing her a ticket. 바카라Right before we went, that바카라s when I opened it and that바카라s when I saw the amount,바카라 Russ recounted.
Initially, Russ received a staggering fine of $88,993 in the mail. Fortunately, a judge in San Luis Obispo County later reduced it to $500. 바카라It made me really sad and depressed, and it kind of ruined our trip,바카라 she told ABC 7.
The incident served as an unexpected lesson in wildlife regulations for Russ and her children. 바카라They know now at the beach don바카라t touch anything, but they know now what a clam is, compared to what a seashell is now. I바카라ve had to explain that to them,바카라 she said.
In a lighthearted twist, Russ commemorated the experience by getting a shellfish tattoo on her arm after 바카라winning바카라 her case. 바카라It was definitely one expensive trip to Pismo, unforgettable,바카라 she remarked.
Pismo Beach, renowned for its clamming opportunities, saw 58 citations in 2023 for illegal clam collection, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lt. Matthew Gil explained the importance of these regulations, emphasizing that clams must reach 4½ inches to spawn and sustain the population.
Pismo clams, exclusive to the eastern Pacific Ocean, can be identified by their thick, large, triangular shells that range in colour from pale to brown, with some having a yellowish, tan, or green varnish-like coating. These bivalves, possessing two siphons and a two-halved shell, are crucial to the local marine ecosystem.
Pismo Beach is home not only to Pismo clams but also to Pacific razor clams. Clammers are allowed to collect up to 10 Pismo clams per day, but strict regulations have helped revive the population, which had dwindled due to overharvesting and sea otter predation.
Advertisement
Show comments