WDFW Managers Propose New Morning Razor Clam Digs

OLYMPIA - Fishery managers are planning a series of morning razor-clam digs in March and April on Washington’s ocean beaches so long as marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat.

As usual, the final word on beach openings will be announced about a week before each dig is scheduled to start.

"We’re announcing tentative dates now so people can get them on their calendars," said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "We’ll confirm the dates once the test results are available."

WDFW may announce additional digs in late April and early May at some beaches if enough clams are still available for harvest, Ayres said.

Unlike previous openings this season, all digs planned in the months ahead are timed to coincide with morning low tides. No digging will be allowed on any beach after noon.

Proposed beach openings, along with morning low tides, for upcoming digs are:

• March 10, Saturday (7:39 am -0.3.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• March 11, Sunday (9:28 am -0.4.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
  
• March 24, Saturday (8:25 am +0.3.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• March 25, Sunday (8:59 a.m., +0.3 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  
• April 7, Saturday (7:36 a.m., -1.2 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
• April 8, Sunday (8:23 a.m., -1.5 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
• April 9, Monday (9:11 a.m., -1.5 ft.): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Kalaloch

Ayres noted that the dig planned at Copalis on March 24 will coincide with the sixth annual Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival, which includes a chowder cookoff and other events. Information on the festival is available at http://www.oceanshores.org/ .

Kalaloch Beach, tentatively scheduled to open April 7-9, has been closed to digging all season due to a low abundance of clams. Located inside Olympic National Park, the beach is managed by the National Park Service in cooperation with WDFW.

Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day, and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

All diggers age 15 or older must have a valid fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licensing options range from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, which can be purchased on WDFW's website ( https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov ) and from license vendors around the state.

Updated information on razor clam seasons is available on WDFW’s toll-free Shellfish Hotline at (888) 562-5632.