Washington's Wild Geoduck Fishery
DNR jointly manages the geoduck fishery in the state with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Puget Sound Treaty Indian Tribes. The state and Tribes each have a right to 50 percent of the sustainable, allowable geoduck catch. DNR then offers the state's portion to private businesses for harvest at public auctions throughout the year.
Both the state and the Tribes are responsible for estimating geoduck population size, determining sustainable yield, and protecting the health of the geoduck stock and the habitat they depend upon.
Harvest of wild geoducks funds
restoration of Washington's aquatic lands.
-- DNR photo
DNR manages its share of geoduck stock under the guidance of Habitat Conservation Plan developed in 2008 to ensure regular and orderly harvest in areas that minimize impacts to shoreline residents and sensitive species while maximizing the benefits a harvest can provide Washington's citizens.
Geoduck auctions generate nearly $22 million of revenue each year. DNR uses that to fund restoration of aquatic habitats throughout the state to ensure geoduck, and all aquatic life, can continue to rely on the rich lands beneath Washington's waterss.
Attention: Current Geoduck Auction Announcement
Due to the current closures and restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 issue, DNR will be doing a virtual auction on April 22, 2020. Instructions on how to participate will be posted in this location. An updated invitation to bid has been added.
DNR intends to keep the integrity of the auction as close as can be managed, but is looking into alternatives, such as mail-in bids to be opened and read over an online option (Skype or other method). We will keep you informed of any developments as they become available.
The Wildstock Geoduck Program wishes you and your families the best and would like to thank you for your continued patience and dedication during this time. We are available via cell phone and email should you have questions.
View a list of additional operational changes related to COVID-19.
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Invitation to Bid
Packets
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Successful Bidders
(Auction Dates)
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Environmental Assessments
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Harvest Period | |
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April 22, 2020
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May 26, 2020 - July 2, 2020
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April 7, 2020 - May 21, 2020
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Feb 3, 2020 - Mar 27, 2020
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Oct 29, 2019 - Jan 31, 2020
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| August 2019 | August 8, 2019 | Sept 9, 2019 - Oct 25, 2019 | ||
| May 2019 | May 29, 2019 | July 1, 2019 - Aug 30, 2019 |
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.
Wild stock Geoduck Habitat Conservation Plan
DNR developed an HCP to ensure that state-managed wild geoduck harvests comply with the Endangered Species Act, and that harvests are conducted in a manner that protects threatened and endangered species. The "Low Effect" HCP covers the harvest of naturally occurring geoduck on state-owned beds under marine waters. Geoducks raised and harvested under aquacultural practices are not included.
