Mom Fined $88,000 After Her Kids Collected 72 Clams – Not Shellfish – From California Beach

• A mother was fined $88,000 after her family collected 72 clams from a California beach.

• In California, people cannot collect clams without a fishing license.

• A San Luis Obispo County judge later reduced the fine to $500.

A California mother was fined $88,000 after her children collected dozens of clams they believed to be shellfish.

Charlotte Russ told news channel ABC30 that her family was vacationing in Pismo Beach, a coastal town known for its beaches and local marine life, in late 2023. Locals have dubbed Pismo Beach the “clam capital of the world.” in 1947, according to Pismo. Conference and tourism office on the beach.

“My kids thought they were collecting shellfish, but they were actually collecting clams, 72 to be exact,” she told the outlet.

Unfortunately, this mistake cost them dearly.

Pismo Beach has strict regulations regarding clam harvesting. People must have a valid saltwater fishing license and cannot collect clams smaller than 4 1/2 inches. There are also regulations regarding what time people can harvest clams and how many they can pack per day.

Authorities issued Russ citations for fishing without a license and collecting small-sized clams, according to court records.

Russ told ABC 30 the fine was $88,993.

“It made me really sad and depressed, and it kind of ruined our trip,” she said.

However, Russ said she was able to explain her mistake to a San Luis Obispo County judge and the fine was reduced to $500. The fine can also be paid by carrying out community service.

“It was definitely an expensive trip to Pismo,” Russ told the outlet. “Unforgettable.”

Representatives for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider