Say No

Clam

Latin name: K. Peronei

Common names: beach Pipi, eugarie, Goolwa cockles, Goolwa pipis

Say No

Wild Caught

Region:
VIC

Note: The Tasmanian fishery for vongole in Ansons Bay is currently closed following a collapse of the population due to overfishing and environmental factors (severe flooding in 2014 killed many vongole). A 2018 review of vongole numbers showed the population has not yet recovered. If the fishery re-opens, the fishery will be assessed for inclusion in this Guide.

Key Facts

Pipis are hand collected in Discovery Bay and Venus Bay in VIC. This collection method is highly targeted.
Pressure on populations from recreational fishing is likely to be high, though neither commercial or recreational fishing is adequately measured.
There are serious concerns for the health of pipi populations in Victoria after a mortality event in Discovery Bay in 2023-24.
The highly targeted collection method means other marine animals are not harmed.
Pipis and vongoles are important prey for birds, rays and fish but current pipi fishing levels do not appear to be affecting any of these species.
Management of this fishery is not adequately accounting for significant uncertainty around population health.

More information

VIC Ocean Fishery (48t in 2022/23)

Pipis are hand collected from the intertidal zone in Discovery Bay and Venus Bay in VIC. Pipis are unique to Australia, grow fairly quickly and are generally resilient to fishing.

There are now serious concerns for pipi populations in Victoria. This is the culmination of a serious mortality event, significant yet undefined recreational fishing, and concerns over the adequacy of management of these effects on the fishery.

Though the fishery is very small, a red rating has been given out of precaution for the pipi population.

Hand collecting is effective at targeting only pipis, resulting in a negligible impact on any other marine or beach-dwelling species. As collection is so highly targeted, discarding of unwanted catch is not an issue, and undersized pips and vongoles can be returned without harm.

Pipis are important prey for many birds, fish and rays but scientific studies from other areas show the level of current fishing is not affecting the availability of prey for birds.