Find Out How to Dig For Clams in North Kingstown

One benefit to being a Rhode Islander is that it entitles you to harvest your own clams recreationally without a license.

It sounds great, right? Just wade out into some shallow Narragansett Bay waters and . . .what?

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at digging for clams, a program sponsored by the Rhode Island Sea Grant in partnership with the state Department of Environmental Management is worth a look.

The first event, at North Kingstown Town Beach, was earlier this month and filled up fast. So don’t delay in signing up for the next ones.

Commercial quahogger Jody King will teach attendees the ins and outs of recreational clamming three more times in North Kingstown between July and September — twice at Spink Neck Beach in Quonset and once more at North Kingstown Town Beach.

King will introduce clamming to people of all ages, covering the equipment needed and necessary techniques as well as why recreational clamming is even possible here in the Ocean State. (It turns out that management strategies have kept Rhode Island in the quahogging industry for years.)

“Harvesting a fresh seafood dinner straight from the ocean is the ultimate Rhode Island experience, and we encourage folks who haven’t gone clamming before or want to refresh their skills to join one of these classes,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.

The “Come Clam with Me” classes were created three years ago as an outreach component to Rhode Island’s Shellfish Management Plan by RI Sea Grant. These popular classes acquainted both residents and non-residents with the skills necessary to dig clams.

Participants learned about the type of equipment used, the size limits and restrictions of quahogs, the difference between the different types of shellfish, and the importance of managing the resource for future generations.

Now that the RI Shellfish Management Plan has come to fruition, DEM’s Aquatic Resource Education program is continuing to offer these classes to educate constituents about the importance of shellfish to the marine waters of the state and the need to properly manage the resource.

There is no fee, but space is limited and registration is required.

Contact Kimberly Sullivan at kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov or 401-539-0019.

Photo via RI Sea Grant on Twitter (@rhodeislandsg)