Family’s beach trip turns costly with $88K fine for clamming
At the end of last year, Charlotte Russ and her family took a trip to Pismo Beach, California. However, it ended with an unexpected and expensive lesson about local wildlife regulations.
“My kids thought they were collecting seashells, but they were actually collecting clams, 72 to be exact,” said Fresno resident Charlotte Russ.
Her children unknowingly collected rows of Pismo clams, which are protected under strict regulations.
Russ was issued a ticket on the spot. Later, she received a notice demanding payment of over $88,000.
“It made me really sad and depressed, and it kind of ruined our trip,” she said.
Lt. Matthew Gil with the Department of Fish and Wildlife explained that the regulations are crucial for the conservation of the species. Pismo clams need to reach at least 4.5 inches to spawn and sustain their population.
“If you can’t take them apart very easily, it’s a clam,” he added.
Thus, emphasizing the importance of educating oneself before collecting shellfish.
After explaining the situation to a San Luis Obispo County judge, Russ’s fine was reduced to $500. Reflecting on the incident, Russ can now laugh about it and even got a tattoo of a shellfish to remember the experience.
Russ urges others to be aware of the regulations to avoid similar costly mistakes. Last year, 58 citations were issued for similar infractions in San Luis Obispo. She hopes for more signage to prevent such incidents, as her family was eager to have fun and didn’t notice the existing signs.
“It was definitely one expensive trip to Pismo, unforgettable,” Russ concluded.
Source: ABC7
Family’s beach trip turns costly with $88K fine for clamming
