Washington Razor-clam Dig Approved for Oct. 27-30
OutdoorHub 10.23.12
The second razor-clam dig of the fall season will get under way on evening tides at four ocean beaches Saturday (Oct. 27).
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig after marine toxin tests on all four beaches confirmed the clams are safe to eat.
Twin Harbors beach will open for digging after noon on four consecutive days, Oct. 27-30. Three other beaches – Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks – will open for digging Oct. 27-28 after noon each day.
Digging days and evening low tides for beaches scheduled to open are:
- Oct. 27, Saturday, 5:57 p.m., +0.2 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
- Oct. 28, Sunday, 6:36 p.m., -0.1 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
- Oct. 29, Monday, 7:12 p.m., -0.3, Twin Harbors
- Oct. 30, Tuesday, 7:46 p.m., -0.4, Twin Harbors
Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, recommends that diggers carry a lantern or strong flashlight during night digs. He also said diggers heading to Copalis and Mocrocks should be aware of a traffic revision on eastbound U.S. Highway 101 in Hoquiam due to emergency work on the Simpson Avenue Bridge.
“This is the only route to those beaches, so people should allow extra travel time to make sure they arrive on time,” Ayres said. He advises diggers to check the Washington Department of Transportation website for more information at http://goo.gl/hzoM1.
Ayres also reminds diggers that the limit for razor clams is 15 per day, and that diggers are required to keep the first 15 clams they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
“Diggers caught returning clams can be cited for wastage,” Ayres said.
All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2012-13 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.
Information about beach locations and additional digs proposed in the months ahead is available on WDFW’s website at http://goo.gl/ooxEO.
