Washington's Wildstock Geoduck Fishery
Since 1969, Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has the statutory authority to harvest wildstock geoduck. The wild geoduck fishery in the state is jointly managed by DNR, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Puget Sound Treaty Indian Tribes (Tribes). The state and the Tribes each have a right to 50 percent of the sustainable, allowable geoduck catch. Both are responsible for estimating geoduck population size, determining sustainable yield, and protecting the health of the geoduck stock and the habitat they depend upon.
DNR manages the submerged aquatic lands in which the wildstock geoduck grow, and offers at public auctions the right for private companies and individuals to harvest specific quantities from specific areas.
Managing the geoduck resource is dynamic due to changes in market demand, resource economics, and new information on geoduck biology and population dynamics. As the managers, DNR and WDFW enforce civil and criminal state laws, regulations and contract conditions that apply to the state’s fishery.
Wildstock Geoduck Habitat Conservation Plan
DNR has developed a "Low Effect" Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to ensure that geoduck harvest activities under the state's management are in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and that the harvests are conducted in a manner that protects threatened and endangered species. A fact sheet provides additional information about the HCP. The HCP covers the harvest of naturally occurring geoduck on state-owned beds under marine waters; geoduck raised and harvested under aquacultural practices are not included.
Goals for the State’s Geoduck Program
— Encourage a stable and orderly harvest;
— Provide maximum benefits of geoduck resources to the citizens of the state;
— Minimize adverse impacts to shoreline residents; and
— Ensure effective enforcement of the state harvest.
Geoduck Program Fact Sheet
Next Geoduck Auction Will Be March 3, 2010 in room 172 of the Natural Resources Building
Get Directions
Current Geoduck Auction Materials
Invitation to Bid Packet — March 3, 2010
Publications
Geoduck On-line Atlas - Department of Fish & Wildlife, Puget Sound Commercial Geoduck Management Regions
Commercial Geoduck Fishery Management Plan - UPDATED May 2008
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Final SEIS) state of Washington Commercial Geoduck Fishery May 23, 2001.
Past Invitation to Bid Packets for the Geoduck Auctions