Where can you go clamming in Nanaimo?
The Nanoose Bay Recreational Shellfish Reserve is located on the south side of Nanoose Bay parallel to Highway 19. It is located approximately 27 kilometers north of downtown Nanaimo. This shellfish reserve covers approximately 23 hectares and is very productive supporting an abundance of shellfish species.
Where can I harvest mussels on Vancouver Island?
The east coast of Vancouver Island or Gulf Islands are usually great as well as areas north of Gibsons. The For harvesting oysters and clams I would recommend taking the family to Nanoose Bay which is very close to Nanaimo, just a quick ferry ride away.
Can you dig for clams on Vancouver Island?
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has banned bivalve shellfish harvesting across the bays and inlets of Metro Vancouver and up the Fraser River because of pollution and naturally occurring toxins for about 50 years. He said people can become sick even after handling the shellfish.
Do you need a license to dig for clams in BC?
If you plan on going out on the water or to the beach and want to catch fish or dig for clams you will need a personal fishing license. You need a tidal water license for harvesting shellfish. Note that there are limits to the amount, size and species of shellfish you can harvest.
Where can I catch oysters in BC?
Oyster farming in B.C., mainly on the west coast of Vancouver Island along the shores of Baynes Sound and the Discovery Islands further north, is a $40-million industry. We are the largest oyster-farming province in the country, producing 60 percent of Canada’s 26,000-tonne annual crop.
Where can I dig geoduck in Nanaimo?
Where to go: Find a muddy/sandy beach and look for quarter sized holes in the sand. Deep Bay is in Baynes Sound is a good starting point or near Comox, BC. Otherwise, beaches around Nanaimo or the north side of Gabriola Island.
What months Can you pick mussels?
Peak season for fresh mussels is October to March. You can buy mussels in their shells year round.
Where can I harvest oysters in BC?
What months are best to dig clams?
However, most digging occurs from April through September. The “table quality” of the clam is generally considered best in early summer, just prior to the July-August spawning. On the northern beaches, razor clam beds are exposed on any minus tide. However, tides of -2.0 feet or lower are suggested.
Can you take clams from the beach?
Yes, but you must have a fishing license and must follow guidelines for size and quantity if you want to remove any from the beach. According to state law: Clams must measure 4 1/2″ in diameter before they can be taken. Undersized clams must be replaced in the very same hole that they were taken from.
Can I eat clams from the beach?
Health and Safety Issues. Each year, the California Department of Health quarantines mussels and advises the public to refrain from eating other types of invertebrates, including clams, harvested from certain areas along the coast.
Can you harvest shellfish in British Columbia?
Recreational Shellfish Harvesting. People living and visiting coastal British Columbia have a unique opportunity to harvest clams, mussels and oysters almost year round. Before you harvest you must check to ensure the areas you wish to dig for clams and collect oysters are open for harvesting.
Where is the Nanaimo shellfish reserve?
It is located approximately 27 kilometers north of downtown Nanaimo. This shellfish reserve covers approximately 23 hectares and is very productive supporting an abundance of shellfish species.
Is it illegal to eat shellfish on the Nanaimo River?
In Subarea 17-14, that portion of the Nanaimo River from the Cedar Bridge to the white square boundary signs approximately 400 m downstream of the Cedar Bridge. Eating contaminated shellfish can be life threatening. Closures change frequently throughout the year. It is illegal to harvest shellfish from closed or contaminated areas.
What is the shellfish harvesting status map and how does it work?
The Shellfish Harvesting Status Map will allow you to identify BC shellfish harvesting closures in your area. New features have been added for recreational users and commercial harvesters, including