OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers today confirmed the next round of coastal razor clam digging can proceed as planned from April 6-12 with an increased daily limit of 20 clams per person.
“Now that we have the toxicity closure behind us and are turning the corner into spring morning digs, we’re looking forward to better digging conditions and larger sacks of clams due to an increased bag limit,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist.
On all open beaches – Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, and Copalis – the daily limit from April 6 through May 14 is 20 clams instead of the usual 15. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 20 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition.
Not all beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. The most successful digging occurs within two hours before the listed time of low tide.
Future tentative digs during morning (a.m.) low tides are scheduled (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. on May 11-14 only):
April 19, Wednesday, 6:44 AM; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
April 20, Thursday, 7:28 AM; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
April 21, Friday, 8:09 AM; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
April 22, Saturday, 8:50 AM; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
April 23, Sunday, 9:31 AM; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
April 24, Monday, 10:14 AM; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
April 25, Tuesday, 11:01 AM; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
May 4, Thursday, 6:32 AM; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
May 5, Friday, 7:10 AM; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
May 6, Saturday, 7:49 AM; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
May 7, Sunday, 8:31 AM; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
May 8, Monday, 9:15 AM; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
May 9, Tuesday, 10:03 AM; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
May 10, Wednesday, 10:57 AM; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
May 11, Thursday, 11:56 AM; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)
May 12, Friday, 12:59 PM; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)
May 13, Saturday, 2:03 PM; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)
May 14, Sunday, 3:03 PM; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)
WDFW will announce digging opportunities via the WDFW razor clam webpage when marine toxin tests show it is safe to do so. Domoic acid, a natural marine toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities.
More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage and on the DOH webpage.
