WHAT IS SHELLFISH ENHANCEMENT?
Shellfish enhancement is a management tool used by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to increase opportunities for recreational harvest on certain public beaches by adding to the clam and oyster resource which occurs naturally. Our enhancement technique is to routinely “seed” suitable beaches with juvenile clam and oysters. Not all beaches need enhancement; many public beaches in Hood Canal, for example, provide plenty of sport harvest opportunity based entirely on natural clam and oyster production. And not all beaches are suitable for enhancement; wave action, strong currents, unsuitable habitat, and the presence of natural predators rule out the chances for successful enhancement on many public beaches. But on those public beaches suitable for enhancement, planted “seed” generally grows to harvestable size in two to three years.
