US Woman Faces Rs 73 Lakh Penalty After Kids Collected Clams Thinking They Were Seashells

A woman in California, USA, received an $88,000 fine (roughly Rs 73 lakh) after her children mistakenly collected 72 clams, thinking they were seashells. While on vacation at Pismo Beach, known as the “Clam Capital of the World”, Charlotte Russ’s children unknowingly removed the molluscs. A representative from the Department of Fish and Wildlife in Fresno contacted her, revealing that her five kids had been gathering clams without a permit, leaving the woman shocked.

Russ told ABC affiliate KFSN-TV, “My kids thought they were collecting seashells, but they were actually collecting clams, 72 to be exact.”

“Right before we went, that’s when I opened it and that’s when I saw the amount,” stated Russ.

She was given a ticket right away and was subsequently informed that her payment obligation was a little over $88,000. “It kind of ruined the trip,” she said.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Lt. Matthew Gil told the news outlet that the regulations are in place to safeguard the shellfish species.

Gil explained that the rationale for these rules is that they must allow them to reach 4 and a half inches in order for them to reproduce and deliver offspring each year.

Gil stated that before heading ashore, it’s critical to educate both yourself and your kids.

It’s okay if you have a shattered seashell, a dead animal, a dead sand dollar, or anything similar, Gil added.

“Pismo clams — what you’re gonna see is both shells will be intact together.”

He told the news portal that if you can’t pull out them by the parts very easily, it’s a clam.

Russ told KFSN-TV that the youngsters now understand that they should not touch anything at the beach, but they do know what a clam is as opposed to a seashell.

Fortunately, she was able to have the penalty lowered to $500 (over Rs 41,000) after presenting the clam misunderstanding to a San Luis Obispo County court, the news outlet reported.

“It was definitely one expensive trip to Pismo, unforgettable,” stated Russ.

While Russ acknowledges that there are warnings in place, she wishes there were more since her family, who were excited to enjoy themselves, did not seem to be paying attention to them.