A person from Fresno, California, got a big surprise after taking her kids on a family vacation to Pismo Beach.
Charlotte Russ and her children traveled to the place on Thursday to acquire seashells at the beach at the end of 2023, according to ABC 30.
The home did not realize that 72 clams had really been picked up at the time, though. Russ received a ticket and received a notice that read” She was being fined a hefty$ 88, 000.” Because clamping is regulated, she was issued a ticket.
The girl and her household are depicted in an picture:
Mom fined$ 88K after kids collect 72 clams from California beach thinking they were seashells: ‘ Ruined our trip ‘ https ://t.co/8L92FFiqQz pic. twitter.com/B1inljv6Kd
— New York Post ( @nypost ) May 23, 2024
” It made me truly sad and depressed, and it kind of ruined our trip”, Russ explained.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Lt. Matthew Gil explained that the regulations allow the oysters to reach four and a half inches. After that, they spawn and produce their children annually.
A image shows the oysters the household gathered:
Family fined$ 88, 0000 after kids collect clams – that they thought were just seashells – from Pismo Beach https ://t.co/manw6IXOsv
— ABC7 Eyewitness News ( @ABC7 ) May 23, 2024
According to the Pismo Beach website, the shore began , calling itself the” Clam Capital of the World” in 1947.
The page continued:
The majority of the capture by clammers was made up of the Pismo Clam and the Pacific Razor Clam. The Pismo Clam population is currently steadily growing, possibly as a result of a significant flood of marine animals and clammers. Various natural effects can cause significant fluctuations in pismo crab populations.
…
Before you clam, you may obtain a saltwater fishing license. As of 2023, the annual fee ( 365- day license ) for a California Department of Fish and Wildlife saltwater license for California residents 16+ is$ 58.58 ($ 158.25 for non- residents ). A 1- time permit is$ 19.18, and a 2- day permit is$ 29.42. Clamming is permitted time- round. A” caliper” and a measuring device called a” caliper” are also required.
Russ’s family has benefited greatly from the incident, and they want others to speak their story to prevent unintentionally getting into trouble.
After explaining what transpired to a judge in San Luis Obispo County, Russ ‘ fine was later reduced to$ 500.
She said,” It was certainly one costly trip to Pismo, memorable”.
