what are pippies in australia

Pippies are small, edible saltwater clams or marine bivalve molluscs that are endemic to Australia. They are also known as pipis, pippi, or pippies in the eastern states of Australia. The Common Pipi is one of the most common molluscs encountered on Sydneys ocean beaches and lives only a few centimeters beneath the surface of the sand. They are an important part of the diet of local Aborigines, and Common Pipi remains have been found in Aboriginal midden sites dating back 2,000 years. Pipis are also commercially harvested, and recreational fishers are allowed to collect them using hands or feet only. They are sold live and are often used to make seafood sauce for pasta. In Venus Bay, Victoria, pipi harvesting has become a controversial issue, with locals expressing concerns about overfishing and environmental and social impacts.