AN ASSESSMENT OF A RECREATIONAL BEACH CLAM FISHERY - CURRENT FISHING PRESSURE AND OPINIONS REGARDING THE INITIATION OF A COMMERCIAL CLAM HARVEST

Questionnaire surveys and catch inspections were employed to estimate the current annual yield to an informal Donax serra fishery and to ass ess the opinions of clam collectors as to the initiation of a commerci al clam fishery. The current fishery is entirely recreational, without a subsistence component. It accounts for no more than 2% of the stand ing stock and less than 7% of the maximum sustainable yield. Existing regulations appear to be adequate for managing this fishery, despite f requent contraventions. Current participants in the recreational clam fishery are strongly opposed to a commercial harvest and the establish ment of such an enterprise in the area would have to accommodate the r equirements of recreationalists.