Geoduck Explained

The Pacific geoduck (; Panopea generosa) is a species of very large saltwater clam in the family Hiatellidae. The common name is derived from the Lushootseed name, .

The geoduck is native to the coastal waters of the eastern North Pacific Ocean from Alaska to Baja California. The shell of the clam ranges from 15cm (06inches) to over 20cm (10inches) in length, but the extremely long siphons make the clam itself much longer than this: the "shaft" or siphons alone can be 1m (03feet) in length. The geoduck is the largest burrowing clam in the world.[1] It is also one of the longest-living animals of any type, with a typical lifespan of 140 years;[2] the oldest has been recorded at 179 years old.[3] The precise longevity of geoducks can be determined from annual rings deposited in the shell which can be assigned to calendar years of formation through crossdating.[4] [5] These annual rings also serve as an archive of past marine variability.[6] [7]

Etymology

The name Geoduck is derived from the Lushootseed name for the animal, .[8] The etymology of is disputed. The lexical suffix means "many" in Lushootseed. The Oxford English Dictionary claims it is composed of a root word of unknown meaning and instead meaning "genitals" (referring to the shape of the clam),[9] while other researchers claim it is a phrase meaning "dig deep".[10]

It is sometimes known as a mud duck, king clam or, when translated literally from Chinese, an elephant-trunk clam .[11]

Between 1983 and 2010, the scientific name of this clam was confused with that of an extinct clam, Panopea abrupta (Conrad, 1849), in scientific literature.[12]

Biology

Native to the west coast of Canada and the northwest coast of the United States (primarily Washington and British Columbia), these marine bivalve mollusks are the largest burrowing clams in the world, weighing in at an average of NaN1NaN1 at maturity, but specimens weighing over 15round=0.5NaNround=0.5 and as much as 2m (07feet) in length are not unheard of.

A related species, Panopea zelandica, is found in New Zealand and has been harvested commercially since 1989. The largest quantities have come from Golden Bay in the South Island where 100tonne were harvested in one year. There is a growing concern over the increase of parasites in the Puget Sound population of geoduck. Whether these microsporidium-like parasitic species were introduced by commercial farming is being studied by Sea Grant. Research to date does indicate their presence.[13]

The oldest recorded specimen was 179 years old, but individuals usually live up to 140 years.[2] A geoduck sucks water containing plankton down through its long siphon, filters this for food and ejects its refuse out through a separate hole in the siphon. Adult geoducks have few natural predators, which may also contribute to their longevity. In Alaska, sea otters and dogfish have proved capable of dislodging geoducks; starfish also attack and feed on the exposed geoduck siphon.

Geoducks are broadcast spawners. A female geoduck produces about 5 billion eggs in her century-long lifespan. However, due to a low rate of recruitment and a high rate of mortality for geoduck eggs, larvae, and post-settled juveniles, populations are slow to rebound.[14] In the Puget Sound, studies indicate that the recovery time for a harvested tract is 39 years.[15]

Biomass densities in Southeast Alaska are estimated by divers, then inflated by twenty percent to account for geoducks not visible at the time of survey.[16] This estimate is used to predict the two percent allowed for commercial harvesting.[16]

Industry

See main article: Geoduck aquaculture. The world's first geoduck fishery was created in 1970, but demand for the half-forgotten clam was low at first due to its texture., these clams sell in China for over US15order=flipNaNorder=flip.[17] [18]

The geoduck's high market value has created an $80-million industry, with harvesting occurring in the US states of Alaska, Washington, and Oregon and the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is one of the most closely regulated fisheries in both countries. In Washington, Department of Natural Resources staff are on the water continually monitoring harvests to ensure revenues are received, and the same is true in Canada where the Underwater Harvesters' Association manages the Canadian Fishery in conjunction with Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The Washington State Department of Health tests water and flesh to assure clams are not filtering and holding pollutants, an ongoing problem. With the rise in price has come the inevitable problem with poaching, and with it the possibility some could be harvested from unsafe areas.[19]

, advances in the testing system for contaminated clams have allowed geoduck harvesters to deliver live clams more consistently. The new testing system determines the viability of clams from tested beds before the harvesters fish the area. Previous methods tested clams after harvest. This advancement has meant that 90 percent of clams were delivered live to market in 2007. In 2001, only 10 percent were live.[20] Because geoduck have a much higher market value live, an additional 2to, this development has helped to stimulate the burgeoning industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the geoduck industry. Given the near-shutdown of restaurants and seafood markets across the country, demand for live geoducks plummeted. Divers in Southeast Alaska who typically see prices of 5to for live geoducks reported prices as low as 1order=flipNaNorder=flip, leading many to stop fishing temporarily.[21]

Environmental impact

Geoduck farming grow-out and harvest practices are controversial,[22] and have created conflicts with shoreline property owners,[23] [24] [25] [26] and concerns from nongovernmental organizations.[27] However, the Environmental Defense Fund has found that bivalves (oysters, mussels, and clams) are beneficial to the marine environment.[28] The water must be certifiably clean to plant geoducks commercially.[29] Regulation was mandated in 2007.[30] [31] Studies have been funded to determine short- and long-term environmental and genetic impacts.[32] In southern Puget Sound, the effect of geoduck farming on large mobile animals is ambiguous.[33] A 2004 draft biological assessment, commissioned by three of the largest commercial shellfish companies in the Puget Sound region, identified no long-term effects of geoduck farming on threatened or endangered species.[34]

Culinary uses

The large, meaty siphon is prized for its savory flavor and crunchy texture. Geoduck is regarded by some as an aphrodisiac because of its phallic shape.[1] It is very popular in China, where it is considered a delicacy,[1] mostly eaten cooked in a fondue-style Chinese hot pot. In Korean cuisine, geoducks are eaten raw with spicy chili sauce, sautéed, or in soups and stews. In Japan, geoduck is prepared as raw sashimi, dipped in soy sauce and wasabi. On Japanese menus in cheaper sushi restaurants, geoduck is sometimes substituted for Tresus keenae, a species of horse clam, and labeled or . It is considered to have a texture similar to an ark shell (known in Japanese as). is sometimes translated into English as "giant clam", and it is distinguished from sushi, which is made from Tridacna gigas.

In popular culture

Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, has a geoduck as its mascot named Speedy.[35] [36]

Geoducks have also earned some internet infamy due to the phallic appearance of their siphons.[37]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Morgan, James . The 'phallic' clam America sells to China . BBC . 20 July 2015 . 19 July 2015.
  2. Orensanz . J. M. L. . Hand . C. M. . Parma . A. M. . Valero . J. . Hilborn . R. . 2004 . Precaution in the harvest of Methuselahs clams-the difficulty of getting timely feedback from slow-paced dynamics . Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. . 61 . 8 . 1355–1372 . 10.1139/f04-136 .
  3. Edge . David . Reynolds . David . Wanamaker . Alan . Griffin . Daniel . Bureau . Dominique . Outridge . Christine . Wang . Richard . Stevick . Bethany . Black . Bryan . Multicentennial Proxy Record of Northeast Pacific Sea Surface Temperatures From the Annual Growth Increments of Panopea generosa . Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology . 2021 . 36 . 9 . 10.1029/2021PA004291 . 2021PaPa...36.4291E . 239151578 . 13 September 2022.
  4. Kastelle . Craig R. . Helser . Thomas E. . Black . Bryan A. . Stuckey . Matthew J. . C. Gillespie . Darlene . McArthur . Judy . Little . Diana . D. Charles . Karen . Khan . Reziah S. . Bomb-produced radiocarbon validation of growth-increment crossdating allows marine paleoclimate reconstruction . Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology . 15 October 2011 . 311 . 1 . 126–135 . 10.1016/j.palaeo.2011.08.015. 2011PPP...311..126K .
  5. Black . Bryan A. . Gillespie . Darlene C. . MacLellan . Shayne E. . Hand . Claudia M. . Establishing highly accurate production-age data using the tree-ring technique of crossdating: a case study for Pacific geoduck (Panopea abrupta) . Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences . December 2008 . 65 . 12 . 2572–2578 . 10.1139/F08-158.
  6. Black . Bryan A. . Copenheaver . Carolyn A. . Frank . David C. . Stuckey . Matthew J. . Kormanyos . Rose E. . Multi-proxy reconstructions of northeastern Pacific sea surface temperature data from trees and Pacific geoduck . Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology . 15 July 2009 . 278 . 1 . 40–47 . 10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.04.010. 2009PPP...278...40B .
  7. Strom . Are . Francis . Robert C. . Mantua . Nathan J. . Miles . Edward L. . Peterson . David L. . North Pacific climate recorded in growth rings of geoduck clams: A new tool for paleoenvironmental reconstruction: NORTH PACIFIC CLIMATE FROM GEODUCK CLAMS . Geophysical Research Letters . March 2004 . 31 . 6 . n/a . 10.1029/2004GL019440. 15853307 . free .
  8. Book: Bates . Dawn . Lushootseed Dictionary . Hess . Thom . Hilbert . Vi . University of Washington Press . 1994 . Seattle.
  9. 77740.
  10. A.. Campbell. R. M.. Harbo. C. M.. Hand. [{{GBurl|id=WnNVQKNwRsQC|p=350}} Harvesting and distribution of Pacific Geoduck Clams]. Proceedings of the North Pacific Symposium on Invertebrate Stock Assessment and Management. 1998. 350.
  11. Book: Chappell, Hilary M.. [{{GBurl|id=h_L8CgAAQBAJ|q=geoduck+%22elephant%22|p=171}} Diversity in Sinitic Languages]. 2015. Oxford University Press. 978-0-19-103573-9. 171. en.
  12. Vadopalas. B.. 2010. The proper name for the geoduck: resurrection of Panopea generosa Gould, 1850, from the synonymy of Panopea abrupta (Conrad, 1849) (Bivalvia: Myoida: Hiatellidae). Malacologia. 52. 1. 169–173. 10.4002/040.052.0111. T. W. Pietsch. C. S. Friedman. 84189390. 2 March 2012.
  13. Web site: Geoduck Aquaculture Research Program. wsg.washington.edu. Geoduck Aquaculture Research Program, Washington Sea Grant. 18 April 2014.
  14. Willner. Georgina B.. The Potential Impacts of the Commercial Geoduck (Panope generosa) Hydraulic Harvest Method on Organisms in the Sediment and at the Water-Sediment Interface in Puget Sound. Master. The Evergreen State College. Olympia, Washington. June 2006. 1 January 2023.
  15. Palazzi. David C.. Lynn. Goodwin. Alex. Bradbury. Bob. Sizemore. Washington (state). Leigh. Espy. Susan. Sturges. Candis. Ladenburg. Blanch. Sabottke. 23 May 2001. Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: State of Washington Commercial Geoduck Fishery. Olympia WA. State of Washington Department of Natural Resources: Department of Fish and Wildlife. 1 January 2023. 5.
  16. Rumble, JM . Hebert, KP . Siddon, CE . Estimating Geoduck Harvest Rate and Show Factors in Southeast Alaska . In: Steller D, Lobel L, Eds. Diving for Science 2012. Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences 31st Symposium. . 2012 . https://archive.today/20130929031850/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/10279 . usurped. 29 September 2013 . 29 September 2013 .
  17. News: Chinese mafia rakes in millions from 'Puget Sound gold' . Vedder, Tracy . 3 March 2011 . KOMOnews.com . 6 March 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110606152213/http://www.komonews.com/news/problemsolvers/117024808.html . 6 June 2011 . dmy .
  18. Welch, Craig, 2012. NW geoducks fetch top dollar in China, and as prices soar, so do concerns about illegal harvesting in Puget Sound, The Seattle Times, 22 April 2012, pp 1 & 10.
  19. News: Dunagan . Christopher . Poaching hurts geoduck population growth . Kitsap Sun . 5 June 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120229025723/http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/feb/27/poaching-hurts-geoduck-population-growth/ . 29 February 2012 . dmy .
  20. News: Toxin test gives live market a boost; quota also gets a significant bump . Ess, Charlie . National Fisherman . 1 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061114115424/http://www.nationalfisherman.com/month-content.asp?ItemID=1110&pcid=184&cid=187&archive=yes . 14 November 2006 . dead . dmy-all .
  21. Web site: Coronavirus shutters Southeast Alaska geoduck clam fishery. Stone. Eric. Ketchikan. Alaska's Energy Desk-. 2020-02-18. Alaska Public Media. en-US. 2020-02-18.
  22. Web site: Geoduck aquaculture in South Puget Sound. Protectourshoreline.org. 2017-05-23.
  23. Web site: Protect Our Shoreline . Protect Our Shoreline . 12 July 2000 . 5 June 2012.
  24. Web site: APHETI-Association to Protect Hammersley, Eld and Totten Inlets . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929202803/http://www.apheti.com/ . dead . 29 September 2007 . Apheti.com . 5 June 2012 .
  25. Web site: Responsible Shellfish Farming BC . Responsibleshellfishfarming.ca . 5 June 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120218145119/http://www.responsibleshellfishfarming.ca/ . 18 February 2012 . dmy .
  26. Web site: Henderson Bay Shoreline Association. 20 May 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070928092333/http://www.hendersonbayshorelineassociation.com/. 28 September 2007. dmy-all.
  27. Web site: About the Partnership . Puget Sound Partnership . 8 May 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090507010124/http://www.psp.wa.gov/aboutthepartnership.php . 7 May 2009 . dmy .
  28. Environmental Defense for Pew Oceans Commission . 2001 . Marine Aquaculture in the United States . Goldburg. Rebecca. etal .
  29. Web site: Commercial Shellfish Licensing & Certification Program . Washington State Department of Health Office of Shellfish and Water Protection . 8 May 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090506230813/http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/commercial.htm . 6 May 2009 . dmy .
  30. Web site: Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee . Washington State Department of Ecology . 10 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070821124924/http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shellfishcommittee/index.html . 21 August 2007 . dead . dmy-all .
  31. Interim Progress Report: House Bill 2220 Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee. House Committee on Ecology and Parks House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation. December 2007. 1 January 2023.
  32. Web site: Current Geoduck Research . Washington Sea Grant . 5 June 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120619202845/http://www.wsg.washington.edu/research/geoduck/current_research.html . 19 June 2012 . dmy .
  33. Brown . R. A. . Thuesen . E. V. . 2011 . Biodiversity of mobile benthic fauna in geoduck (Panopea generosa) aquaculture beds in southern Puget Sound, Washington . Journal of Shellfish Research . 30 . 3. 771–776 . 10.2983/035.030.0317 . 2075387 .
  34. Web site: Programmatic Biological Evaluation . Protectourshoreline.org . 2017-05-23.
  35. Web site: Speedy, Evergreen's Geoduck Mascot . 2019-09-20 . evergreen.edu . en.
  36. Web site: 10 Weird And Hilarious College Mascots . 2. Evergreen State - The Geoduck . 2019-09-20 . 2011-11-11 . buzzfeed.com . en.
  37. Web site: Tran . Lina . Everything You Need to Know About Geoducks . Eater . 2016-07-17 . 2022-08-11.

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