WA House Bill 1061, sponsored by Representatives Brian Blake and Jim Walsh, is currently under consideration in the Washington State Legislature. This bill would make the Razor Clam the official clam of Washington. 

While all Washingtonians have a deep respect for the diverse bivalve population of our coastal waters, and in particular for the wily Razor Clam (renown indeed for its powerful foot and meaty flesh), we believe that the most iconic member of the Mollusca phylum endemic to the Puget Sound and Olympic Coast is the Pacific Geoduck.

As all true-blue, umbrella-shunning Washingtonians (who still list the Sonics as their favorite basketball team) know, Panopea generosa is a natural wonder of the Evergreen State. The Geoduck is not only the largest burrowing clam known to science, but it is also a symbol of longevity, the oldest living specimen having been recorded at over 160 years in age.

The Geoduck's name, which only seasoned Northwesterners can decipher phonetically from writing, derives from a language of the native Salish tribes, from which Washington State draws a proud lineage. 

As demand for the savory Geoduck has grown, its export has made it the most valuable clam per pound on the market, worth over $15 a pound in 2018. This demand brings in over $80 million a year to the US, but has put increased pressure on the Geoduck population. Identifying this beautiful and hefty species as our state clam will serve as a reminder that it must be protected so that it may be enjoyed by future generations.