WDFW Approves Six-Day Razor Clam Dig

Posted

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved a six-day razor clam dig on ocean beaches starting Oct. 16 after marine toxin tests showed that the clams are safe to eat.

The WDFW said that there are abundant razor clam populations along 58 miles of coastal beaches this year. Weekday clam digging is encouraged to limit the weekend crowds. The WDFW emphasizes the importance of social distancing while digging.

“Close proximity can accelerate the spread of COVID-19, so we’re asking the public to take steps to thoroughly prepare for their visits to avoid increasing risk,” said Coastal Region Director Larry Phillips with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Phillips said that the department is being guided by risk assessments by local and state health officials.

Mocrocks beach is open on Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday during the upcoming dig and Copalis is open Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. Razor clam co-managers created this schedule, keeping in mind low tides to ensure good access for both tribal and non-tribal diggers.

The approved p.m. tides, razor clam digs to date, along with low tides and beaches include:

Oct. 16, Friday, 7:00 pm, -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Oct. 17, Saturday, 7:47 p.m. -1.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Oct. 18, Sunday, 8:35 pm, -1.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Oct. 19, Monday, 9:24 pm, -1.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Oct. 20, Tuesday, 10:16 pm, -1.0; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Oct. 21, Wednesday, 11:12 pm, -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.

The tentative razor clam digs through December, along with low tides and beaches, are as follows:



Oct. 31, Saturday, 7:26 p.m., 0.0; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Nov. 1, Sunday, 6:59 p.m., -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Nov. 2, Monday, 7:33 p.m., -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Nov. 3, Tuesday, 8:08 p.m., -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Nov. 13, Friday, 4:58 p.m., -0.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Nov. 14, Saturday, 5:45 p.m., -1.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Nov. 15, Sunday, 6:32 p.m., -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Nov. 16, Monday, 7:19 p.m., -1.8; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Nov. 17, Tuesday, 8:06 p.m., -1.6; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Nov. 18, Wednesday, 8:56 p.m., -1.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Nov. 19, Thursday, 9:47 p.m., -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.

Dec. 1, Tuesday, 7:14 p.m., -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Dec. 2, Wednesday, 7:51 p.m, -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Dec. 3, Thursday, 8:30 p.m., -0.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Dec. 4, Friday, 9:12 p.m., -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Dec. 12, Saturday, 4:44 p.m., -0.8; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Dec. 13, Sunday, 5:32 p.m., -1.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Dec. 14, Monday, 6:19 p.m., -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Dec. 15, Tuesday, 7:05 p.m., -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Dec. 16, Wednesday, 7:50 p.m., -1.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Dec. 17, Thursday, 8:35 p.m., -1.0; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Dec. 18, Friday, 9:21 p.m., -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Dec. 28, Monday, 5:43 p.m., -0.2; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Dec. 29, Tuesday, 6:20 p.m., -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Dec. 30, Wednesday, 6:57 p.m., -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Dec. 31, Thursday, 7:34 p.m., -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks. 

“Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license, starting at $9.70, to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website and from some 600 license vendors around the state. WDFW recommends buying your license before visiting coastal beach communities for this razor clam season,” states the press release from WDFW.

State law requires diggers at open beaches to take no more than 15 clams per day and diggers are required to keep the first 15 clams that they dig.

More information can be found on the WDFW website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams.