Weeklong razor clam dig starts Monday

State shellfish managers today approved a series of morning razor-clam digs starting Monday at Twin Harbors and expanding to include three other ocean beaches over the next week.

The state Department of Fish & Wildlife approved the digs after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat. No digging will be allowed at any beach after noon.

Dan Ayres, Fish & Wildlife coastal shellfish manager, reminds diggers that anyone age 15 or older must have an applicable 2014-15 fishing license to harvest razor clams on state beaches. Fishing licenses of various kinds are available on the department’s website at http://ift.tt/1czn9Tv and from license vendors around the state.

“It’s always a good idea to have a current license in hand before you reach the beach,” Ayres said. “Otherwise, you may find yourself waiting in line to buy one at low tide.”

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

· April 14, Monday, 6:46 a.m.; +0.2 feet; Twin Harbors

· April 15, Tuesday, 7:24 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach

· April 16, Wednesday, 8:03 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach

· April 17, Thursday, 8:43 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach

· April 18, Friday, 9:26 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks

· April 19, Saturday, 10:14 a.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks

· April 20, Sunday, 11:06 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks

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.

Ayres noted that the weekend digs will coincide with two beachside events. The second annual Long Beach Razor Clam Festival is scheduled April 19-20, (see http://ift.tt/1eFNrz6) and Washington Coast Cleanup Day is set for April 19 (see http://ift.tt/1p3PNBz).

Once the next series of digs is over, state shellfish managers will analyze harvest data and propose additional digging dates in the weeks ahead, Ayres said.

“This year’s season is nearing the end, but we’re not there yet,” he said. “We hope to offer more digging days into May.”