A mother in California was fined $88,000 because her kids found dozens of clams that they thought were rocks.
Charlotte Russ told ABC30 that she and her family took a trip to Pismo Beach in late 2023. Pismo Beach is a coastal city known for its beaches and sea life. The people who lived in Pismo Beach called it the “Clam Capital of the World” in 1947, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
“My kids, they thought they were collecting seashells, but they were collecting clams, 72 to be exact,” she told the news site.
They learned their lesson the hard way, though.
There are strict rules about getting clams in Pismo Beach. People who want to fish in saltwater must have a current license and can’t take clams that are less than 4 1/2 inches long. Another rule is that people can only pick a certain number of clams each day and at a certain time.
Court records show that Russ was given tickets for fishing without a license and for collecting clams that were too small.
He told ABC 30 that the fine was $88,993.
“It made me sad and depressed, and it kind of ruined our trip,” she added.
Russ said she was able to tell a judge in San Luis Obispo County what went wrong and get the fine lowered to $500. It’s also possible to pay the fine by doing volunteer work.
Russ told the news source, “It was one expensive trip to Pismo.” “Unforgettable.”
