How to clean softshell clams
The Oregon Health Authority has issued an advisory for recreationally harvested softshell and gaper clams along the Oregon coast due to arsenic contamination. Visit healthoregon.ogr/fishadv to lean more, including shellfish cleaning guidelines that reduce your exposure.
Steps to processing softshell clams
Step 1 - Start with a whole live clam
Step 2 - Steam clams until they open
Steam until the shell opens and the whole meat is loose
Step 3 - Peel off neck skin
After steaming, the skin can then be pinched with your fingers and easily removed before eating.
The gut contents of larger clams can also be cleaned out with a small incision followed by a quick rinse.
Whole clam body showing neck, gut, foot, and mantle
Step 4 - Finished product
Final product with discarded skin. The black siphon tip can be tough and may also be discarded.
Check out the current Recreation Report
Current conditions and opportunities to crab and clam. Updated weekly by shellfish biologists.