Do NOT Perturb the Locals
Harvest Nobody’s Livlihood
Now that I have been to both areas to clam, Rhode Island and the Islands of Virginia, I have learned that there is a big difference in how locals perceive this relaxing, fun pastime. If you like to travel and clam, here is a bit of advice you may want to consider. Check with how the locals feel about you ripping up the clam beds.
I lived in Rhode Island for a while and taught myself about quahog clamming. I did so by simply jumping right in and getting dirty digging through stony, muddy waters until I found a quahog clam. It was the sort of fun that takes you straight back to your youth. I thoroughly enjoyed clamming in Rhode Island and eagerly followed the tidal charts for Seapowet Marsh and Fogland Beach. Both locals and vacationers would gather in these two spots and happily clam together side by side. I am in Virginia right now on vacation with my family. Of course, with my love of clamming, I am ready to get out there and bring back a successful haul. I researched online where to go and had decided to try Tom’s Cove on Assateague Island. However, my plans have come to a halt after striking up a conversation with a few locals.
Apparently, if I start digging up a clam bed here on Assateague or Chincoteague, I am likely to have a very angry local coming after me literally with a salt pellet filled rifle. Yikes!
It is not that the locals are not friendly. They very much are. It is simply that the clam beds are part of their livelihood and have been for many years, even decades. Yes, it is legal to go clamming here, and no one may legally stake a claim on any clam bed. However, various clam beds have been seeded, cared for and nurtured for years by those who count on harvesting clams for money. On the islands, it is an unwritten rule, a sort of time honored, respected handshake. I did check with a couple of other locals, and it was again suggested that I do not go clamming. So, I respected the locals wish and set out to go crabbing. Despite the large demand for blue crabs for all the various nearby restaurants, blue crabs are plentiful. Everyone can happily crab alongside each other.
image credits – photo by melaniekaren 1. view of Tom’s Cove at Assateague Island, Virginia
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