Frequently Asked Questions about Clam Amendment 3

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Amendment 3 to the Hard Clam Fishery Management Plan adopted a management strategy to phase out the use of MCH gear by June 1, 2028. The rationale for this strategy includes:

  • Significant habitat damage and excessive sedimentation associated with bottom disturbing gears
  • Participation and effort in the mechanical clam fishery have declined to the lowest levels on record. In 2022, there were only 3 active mechanical clam harvesters in the state 
  • Significant resources required for maintenance and monitoring
  • At low participation levels, the habitat value outweighs the fishery value

MCH in conjunction with maintenance dredging is no longer permitted as of the May 2025 MFC meeting. 

The phase out will be complete June 1, 2028. 

Yes; if you have been approved for a private lease and your aquaculture permitting allows for the use of mechanical gear, MCH gear can still be used.

The definition of mechanical gear in the MFC rulebook is as follows: "Mechanical methods for clamming" means dredges, hydraulic clam dredges, stick rakes, and other rakes when towed by engine power, patent tongs, kicking with propellers or deflector plates with or without trawls, and any other method that utilizes mechanical means to harvest clams. (15A NCAC 03I.0101 (3)(l))

Yes, there are no changes to the commercial hand harvest fishery for clams. Commercial hand harvest of clams is permitted year-round with a minimum clam size of 1 inch thick (shell width) and up to 6,250 hard clams (25 bags at 250 clams per bag) per fishing operation per day allowed.

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