CLAM BABIES.

Second rule of clamming, babies go back.

Yes, they sure look like they would be sweet-n-delicious little guys in a garlicky pasta, but keep it legal, people. Of course, you are already clamming in a DEC-designated area, so just make sure any of the little guys aren’t small enough to pass through the clam keyhole. If they do - give ‘em a kiss goodbye and see them in a few years. 

Fun fact, most official clam rake tines are 1 inch apart, so the babies can fall through the rake before you have an ethical dilemma. If in doubt, key ‘em. 

Another fun fact, Ming the Clam was 507 years old when researchers accidentally killed him trying to determine its age. Ming was the oldest living animal in the world.