“Just shells,” kids plead, as mom faces $88K fine

PISMO BEACH, CA- A mother from California was fined $88,000 after her children mistakenly collected clams from a beach without a fishing license, thinking they were seashells. Charlotte Russ was with her family on a trip to Pismo Beach, famously called the “Clam Capital of the World,” when the incident occurred, according to ABC 7.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife approached Russ and informed her that her children had collected 72 clams illegally. She was issued a ticket for the violation. "Right before we went, that’s when I opened it, and that’s when I saw the amount," Russ shared.

The hefty fine of $88,993 was later reduced to $500 by a San Luis Obispo County judge. Russ expressed her distress over the situation, saying, "It made me really sad and depressed, and it kind of ruined our trip."

The experience, although unfortunate, became a learning moment for Russ and her family. "They know now at the beach don’t touch anything, but they know now what a clam is compared to what a seashell is," she explained. In a lighthearted turn, Russ even got a tattoo of a shellfish to commemorate the event.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife enforces strict regulations on clam collection to protect the species. Lt. Matthew Gil told the outlet "The reason we have these regulations is to let them get to 4½ inches so they can spawn, ensuring a sustainable population."

Pismo clams, identifiable by their thick, large, triangular shells, are found exclusively in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Their shells can be pale or brown with a possible yellowish, tan, or green varnish-like coating.

Pismo Beach is home to both Pismo and Pacific razor clams. Regulations limit clammers to collecting 10 Pismo clams per day. While populations have fluctuated due to over-collecting and natural predators like sea otters, regulation efforts have helped increase their numbers.

Per ABC 7, in 2023, there were 58 citations issued in San Luis Obispo County for the illegal collection of clams. The fines and regulations are part of ongoing efforts to maintain and protect shellfish populations.

The incident with Russ underscores the importance of understanding and adhering to local wildlife regulations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.