A California mom acquired a $88,000 high-quality after her kids collected dozens of clams they believed have been seashells.
Charlotte Russ instructed information station ABC30 that her household vacationed at Pismo Seaside, a coastal metropolis recognized for its seashores and native sea life, in late 2023. The residents dubbed Pismo Seaside the “Clam Capital of the World” in 1947, in accordance with the Pismo Seaside Convention & Guests Bureau.
“My children, they thought they have been amassing seashells, however they have been truly amassing clams, 72 to be actual,” she instructed the outlet.
Sadly, that mistake value them.
Getty Photos/Harri Jarvelainen Pictures
Pismo Seaside has strict rules relating to clam harvesting. Individuals should have a sound saltwater fishing license and can’t gather clams underneath 4 1/2 inches. There are additionally rules round what time folks can harvest clams and what number of they will bag a day.
Authorities issued Russ citations for fishing with no license and for amassing undersized clams, in accordance with courtroom information.
Russ instructed ABC 30 that the high-quality totaled $88,993.
“It made me actually unhappy and depressed, and it type of ruined our journey,” she mentioned.
Nonetheless, Russ mentioned she was capable of clarify the error to a San Luis Obispo County decide and acquired the high-quality decreased to $500. The high-quality may also be fulfilled by finishing group service work.
“It was positively one costly journey to Pismo,” Russ instructed the outlet. “Unforgettable.”
California’s Division of Fish and Wildlife representatives didn’t reply to a request for remark from Enterprise Insider.


