The Geoduck is a species native to the Pacific Northwest. It is a very unusual animal – a large saltwater clam with a siphon that can reach over three feet in length and weigh up to fifteen pounds. “Geoduck” is a Lushootseed word that means “dig deep”. The Geoduck is an important part of coastal Native American aquaculture. It is also considered by some to be an aphrodisiac.
Geoducks are now harvested commercially and eaten all over the world. Bivalves are beneficial to our coasts, but we must ensure that the tides are clean and that we do not exploit the coasts when we grow Geoducks commercially. We can learn a lot from how the Native Americans fished, which was low-impact and environmentally friendly. This can be a challenge today though because our population has grown to over 300 million people in just a few hundred years. The Geoduck is a fascinating animal. Besides its interesting shape, it is one of the longest lived animals on Earth. The Geoduck can live over 150 years! Scientists believe this is because the animal has limited wear and tear on the body. Female Geoducks are also able to produce over a billion babies! The Geoduck is a truly unique animal and we should feel lucky that we share a home with it in our Puget Sound.
-Rachel Wright
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