You are still removing filtering capacity and there is a tipping point when the reproduction rate of the algae his higher than the rate of removal. We have also accelerated intertidal harvest, removed intertidal habitat to replace it with harbors or fill.

The management plan looks good in the isolation of geoducks; how does it integrate into what is occurring in the whole Sound?

Same as with our penchant for managing salmon on a species by species basis. Up in a study stream in AK they fish coho at 60%. Run is "stable" at that rate. If you escape no pinks you harvest 1000. If you escape 1.9 kg/sq m pinks you harvest 5-8000 coho plus you get immense benefits in the terrestrial ecosystem; at least if you ask the bears. So, which is the optimum coho management?

Same, I believe, with shellfish. You can harvest "sustainably" at a rate. At a significantly lower rate you can harvest sustainably and have fewer algae blooms. It's a choice.