Razor Clam
(Siliqua patula)
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Did You Know?
Some razor clams in Alaska have attained the age of 18 years, and it's possible that older individuals exist.
General Description
The long, narrow shell of the razor clam may attain a length greater than 7 inches. In very young specimens, the periostracum, or outermost tissue-like layer of the shell, is brown. It gradually becomes yellowish-brown in medium-sized animals and changes again to brown with age. The periostracum of large or old specimens is usually eroded. The inside of the shell is glossy white, sometimes with purple areas showing through and a prominent rib extends from the upper or early part of the shell to the shell edge.
Life History
Razor clams may become sexually mature as early as the end of its third growing season or following the formation of the third annulus ring; all are probably sexually mature by the time they enter their seventh growing season. Breeding occurs between May and September and is closely associated with rising water temperatures. A temperature of 55°F is believed to be required to trigger spawning. The sexes are separate in razor clams. In breeding, eggs and sperm are discharged onto wet sand and into sea water. Fertilization occurs by chance. Where the razor clam's reproductive cycle lacks efficiency, it compensates with numbers. Although an exact count of the number of eggs contained in a female razor clam is not possible, some researchers have estimated that number at somewhere between 300 thousand and 118.5 million. The larger the female razor clam, the greater the number of eggs produced. It goes without saying that the chance of survival for an individual egg is very, very low. The microscopic larvae bear little resemblance to parent clams. They possess short, hair-like projections called cilia with which they propel themselves. Toward the end of this free-swimming period, which may last from 5 to 16 weeks, the shells begin to form and the young start looking like clams. The young clams take up residence in the sand where their growth rate varies from area to area. Some razor clams in Alaska have attained the age of 18 years, and it's possible that older individuals exist.
Feeding Ecology
Razor clams subsist on minute plant and animal life known as plankton filtered from the surrounding seawater.
Shellfish Toxicity
Some people are naturally allergic to shellfish. An illness may also be the result of polluted habitat or storage of clams at too high a temperature. Another source of illness is paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) which is caused by the razor clams' ingestion of a one-celled organism that may pass over the clam’s growing area.
Parasites and Commensals
Rarely, small cysts can be seen imbedded in the siphon of the razor clam. These cysts are one of the intermediate stages in the life cycle of a parasitic nematode (round worm) of the common skate. They evidently do not affect the razor clam. By thorough cleaning and cooking, this parasite can be eliminated. Occasionally, a small pink or white leach-like animal may be found attached to the inside of the siphon. This is a ribbon worm that lives commensally with the razor clam. Commensals are animals or plants that live with other organisms and reap benefit from the activities of the host but cause them no harm. The worm is easily removed and does not in any way make the clam unfit to use as food.
Range and Habitat
The Arctic razor clam is found in southern Cook Inlet westward to the Bering Sea and Siberia. The Pacific razor clam is more widely distributed and is found from Pismo, California, north to the Aleutian Islands. The Pacific razor clam is the more frequently encountered of the two species. Razor clams live in surf-swept and somewhat protected sand beaches of the open ocean. They are found from approximately 4 feet above the mean low water level down to depths of 30 fathoms.
Status, Trends, and Threats
Status
The overall status of the razor clam in Alaska is healthy.
Threats
Overexploitation is always a threat to any species. With continued proper management and sound stewardship, the razor clam will be available for future generations.
Fast Facts
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Size
Maximum length is over 12 inches -
Age
Maximum age is 11 years -
Range/Distribution
The Arctic razor clam is found in southern Cook Inlet westward to the Bering Sea and Siberia. The Pacific razor clam is more widely distributed and is found from Pismo, California, north to the Aleutian Islands. The Pacific razor clam is the more frequently encountered of the two species. -
Diet
Razor clams subsist on minute plants and animal life known as plankton filtered from the surrounding seawater. -
Predators
Starry flounder, Dungeness crab, seagulls, ducks, sandpiper, glaucous-winged gull, green and white sturgeon, bears -
Reproduction
Breeding occurs between May and September and is closely associated with rising water temperatures. In breeding, eggs and sperm are discharged onto wet sand and into sea water. Fertilization occurs by chance.
Did You Know?
- There are four different species of razor clams on the west coast of North America.
- The microscopic larvae of the razor clam are free-swimming for the first 5 to 16 weeks.
- Some razor clams in Alaska have attained the age of 18 years, and it's possible that older individuals exist.
- Commercial harvest of razor clams has occurred in Alaska since 1916.
- Razor clams have been imported from North America to Europe and are now established.
- Females have an estimated 300 thousand and 118.5 million eggs.
Uses
Commercial Fishery
Commercial harvest of razor clams has occurred in Alaska since 1916 in the Cordova area and 1919 in the Cook Inlet area. Annual production levels have fluctuated greatly in both areas, reaching approximately 600,000 pounds in Cordova and 500,000 pounds in Cook Inlet. The 1964 earthquake adversely affected razor clam populations in the Cordova area. Swikshak Beach on the Alaska Peninsula is the only other beach certified for the human consumption market where commercial harvest has occurred since 1929. Razor clams are fished commercially as bait and food.
Recreational Harvest
The primary area for the personal use recreational razor clam fishery in Alaska occurs between Kasilof and Anchor River (a 50 mile area) on the east side of Cook Inlet. In this area between 30,000 and 35,000 days of effort are expended annually to harvest a million clams. Whether razor clams are dug for commercial or recreational purposes, the result is the same: good eating!
- Razor Clam Recreational Harvest Information (PDF 796 kB)
- Clam Gulch State Recreation Area
- Ninilchik State Recreation Area
Processing
Razor clams are highly sought after due to their large size and delectable taste. They can be boiled, sautéed, deep fried, or tossed into soup.
Management
The Alaska State Constitution establishes, as state policy, the development and use of replenishable resources, in accordance with the principle of sustained yield, for the maximum benefit of the people of the state. In order to implement this policy for the fisheries resources of the state, the Alaska Legislature created the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF) and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).
The BOF was given the responsibility to establish regulations guiding the conservation and development of the state’s fisheries resources, including the distribution of benefits among subsistence, commercial, recreational, and personal uses. The ADF&G was given the responsibility to implement the BOF’s regulations and management plans through the scientific management of the state’s fisheries resources. Scientific and technical advice is also provided by the ADF&G to the BOF during its rule-making process. The separation of rule-making and inseason management responsibilities between these two entities is generally regarded as contributing to the success of Alaska’s fisheries management system.
The ADF&G’s fishery management activities fall into two categories: inseason management and applied science. For inseason management, the department deploys a cadre of fishery managers near the fisheries. These individuals have broad authority to open and close fisheries based on their professional judgment, the most current biological data from field projects, and fishery performance.
Lower Cook Inlet Management Area Description
Research
Lower Cook Inlet Razor Clam Research