“Clam powering” or “churning” with a motorboat engine is a method used to harvest soft-shell clams by directing the outboard motor’s propeller towards the bottomland to loosen the soil and expose the clams. This technique is typically employed in shallower waters where clams burrow into the soft sediment.
Here’s how it generally works:
- Engine positioning: The outboard motor is tilted to direct the propeller’s wash towards the seabed.
- Bottomland disturbance: The force of the propeller creates a powerful current that disrupts the sediment, exposing the buried clams.
- Clam retrieval: Once exposed, the clams can be easily collected from the seafloor.
During last week’s Trustees’ meeting, the board voted in favor of the baymen’s request to permit a special season for harvesting soft or razor clams by the method known as “powering” or “churning.” For the last several years, the Trustees have voted to allow permit holders the opportunity to use an outboard motor’s propeller to “churn” the Trustee-owned bottomlands in specific locations, to expose clams for harvesting.
The clam taking season is limited, beginning August 11th and terminating at sundown on December 31.
Past shellfish harvesting using this method has proven harmless to the bottomland environments and shellfish populations, and it is speculated that it may deter predators from taking the shellfish. It has proven beneficial to the fishermen’s economic livelihoods, who depend on the harvests of shellfish.
Those who wish to apply for this special permit must hold a town commercial shellfish license. Eligible applicants can apply at the East Hampton Town Trustees’ office located at the corner of Bluff Road and Atlantic Avenue in Amagansett from July 28th through August 8th.
For additional details, click on the tab below: East Hampton Star / Christopher Walsh reporting.