Razor Clam – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Overview

Species Common Name Razor Clam
Species Scientific Name Siliqua patula

Ecoregions

Nearshore

The Nearshore ecoregion includes a variety of habitats ranging from submerged high-relief rocky reefs to broad expanses of intertidal mudflats in estuaries and hosts a vast array of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, plants, and micro-organisms. This ecoregion encompasses the area from the outer boundary of Oregon’s Territorial Sea to the supra-tidal zone, and up into the estuaries.

Special needs

Razor clams are found along sandy beaches and in shallow, sandy subtidal areas.

Limiting factors

Topography, beach morphology, and sand composition are important determinants of suitable habitat. Larval supplies and episodic recruitment affect abundance and distribution.

Data gaps

Investigate the relationship between intertidal and subtidal populations. Investigate the relationship between living clams and shells on beaches.

Conservation actions

Monitor status of populations at index sites. Manage for sustainable harvest. Gather information to fill data gaps.