According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, San Luis Obispo County has the highest number of violations for poaching Pismo clams in the state. With the increasing Pismo clam abundance in recent years, poaching violations also are increasing. The only sign against clamming at the Oceano beach entrance is in tatters, almost invisible. The only other sign I saw is on the boardwalk south of Pismo. But there are plenty of signs to control traffic, speeding, and trespassing. State Parks rangers are not enforcing clamming regulations. While walking our beach, I stopped them to report poaching. They simply gave me a number to call: (888) 334-2258.
A Fish and Wildlife officer drove by later. The poachers had already gone.
Why isn’t State Parks protecting the Pismo clams? Unfortunately, Pismo State Beach, from Pismo to Oso Flaco, is part of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area district. The Off-HighWay Vehicles Division manages it, not State Parks proper. The division’s rangers patrol our beaches only to monitor vehicular traffic.They have no interest in clams.
People are caught digging hundreds of illegal clams. They must be driving their vehicles on the beach, or else how can they carry so many clams? Driving on the beach emboldens and helps clam poachers. Hopefully, our beaches will be vehicle-free soon.
Lucia Casalinuovo
president
Oceano Beach Community Association
This article appears in Jul 15-22, 2021.