Upcoming razor clam dig shifts from evening to morning digs

OLYMPIA — State shellfish managers have approved a series of razor clam digs that starts Wednesday on evening tides, then switches to morning tides Sunday for five more days of digging.

Dan Ayres, the department’s coastal shellfish manager, said the switch from evening to morning digs reflects the moon’s seasonal effect on the tides.

“It gets a little tricky scheduling digs at this time of year, but the goal is to arrange openings during the best clam tides,” Ayres said. “The split schedule also provides an opportunity for back-to-back digs the evening of Saturday, March 29, and the morning of Sunday, March 30.”

The state Department of Fish &Wildlife approved the digs after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.

Ayres also noted that diggers will have to purchase a 2014 license to participate in digs after March 31.

The upcoming digs are scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides:

• Wednesday, March 26, 3:52 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Twin Harbors

• Thursday, March 27, 4:48 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Twin Harbors

• Friday, March 28, 5:38 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks

• Saturday, March 29, 6:23 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks

Seasonal switch to morning tides:

• Sunday, March 30, 6:53 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks

• Monday, March 31, 7:39 a.m.; -0.5 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach

• Tuesday, April 1, 8:22 a.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach

• Wednesday, April 2, 9:05 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach

• Thursday, April 3, 9:49 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach

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.

Starting April 1, all diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2014-15 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses range from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, and are available on WDFW’s website at http://ift.tt/1czn9Tv and from license vendors around the state.