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A California mother received a $88,000 fine after her children collected dozens of clams they believed were seashells.
"My kids, they thought they were collecting seashells, but they were actually collecting clams, 72 to be exact."
Pismo Beach has strict regulations regarding clam harvesting. People must have a valid saltwater fishing license and cannot collect clams under 4 1/2 inches. There are also regulations around what time people can harvest clams and how many they can bag a day.
She told ABC 30 that the fine totaled $88,993.
"It made me really sad and depressed, and it kind of ruined our trip."
However, she was able to explain the mistake to a San Luis Obispo County judge and got the fine reduced to $500. The fine can also be fulfilled by completing community service work.
