California oyster farm fined $61,000 for growing clams in harbor seal refuge

Calif. oyster farm fined for clam violations

PT. REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE, Calif. — The largest oyster farm in Marin County, Calif., is being fined for growing clams in a protected refuge for harbor seals

The California Coastal Commission fined the Drakes Bay Oyster Co. $61,250 for cultivating the mollusks in an area of Drakes Estero set aside for harbor seals.

Owner Kevin Lunny says a faulty global positioning system device caused one of his employees to put the clams in the wrong place.

But the violation has intensified environmentalists’ calls on federal officials to force Lunny’s oyster farm out of Point Reyes National Seashore.

The fine came to light as the state Fish and Game Commission prepared Thursday to consider Lunny’s request to expand the acreage in which he is allowed to cultivate clams.

Information from: Marin Independent Journal, www.marinij.com