By admin 
Three people were arrested on Saturday for harvesting nearly 500 clams from Pismo Beach outside regulated clamming hours and without proper measuring devices, the Pismo Beach Police Department said.
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According to an Instagram post from Pismo Beach police, four people were seen by an officer on Saturday with “a large quantity of clams well after legal clamming hours had ended.”
When approached, two of the individuals allegedly fled, though one later returned to the scene, police said.
Police discovered that the group had amassed at least 494 clams — and only 16 met the legal size requirements, the post said.
“None of the individuals possessed a valid fishing license, measuring device, or clam fork,” police wrote.
Police said the three poaching suspects at the scene were arrested on suspicion of six commercial fishing-related charges each. All three were from the Bay Area and were booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail.
The charges included not having a fishing permit immediately within possession, taking wildlife illegally not in season, possession of Pismo clams under 4.5 inches, not having a measuring device, clamming after hours and possessing more than the legal limit of clams, according to Sgt. Kyle White, who spoke with The Tribune on Wednesday afternoon.
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The fourth individual, who allegedly fled the scene, was still unidentified and had not been located as of Wednesday, White said.
Police said that all the clams collected by the group were returned to the sand and buried by responders. They were expected to survive.
“Pismo clams were once over-overharvested and their numbers severely depleted,” police said on social media. “Due to years of conservation efforts and strict regulations, their population is steadily recovering.”
“We encourage everyone to help protect this important natural resource for future generations by familiarizing themselves with and following all applicable clamming laws and regulations,” the statement continued.
The Police Department thanked the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for its assistance in the investigation.
This story was originally published October 7, 2026 at 5:10 PM with the headline “3 people busted with nearly 500 undersized clams on Pismo Beach, police say.”
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