The latest razor clam dig kicks off for a week-long opening Wednesday, and includes openings on four coastal beaches.
The state Department of Fish & Wildlife approved the upcoming seven-day dig, which runs Dec. 3-9, after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat. Digging is allowed only after noon all seven days at Long Beach and Twin Harbors beaches, with digging allowed on Mocrocks Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Copalis beach will open for one day on Saturday only.
Dan Ayres, Fish & Wildlife coastal shellfish manager, said the best digging typically occurs one to two hours before low tide.
“Crowds of diggers have been on the light side, but the clams continue to grow and are getting fatter,” Ayres said. “If you’re willing to brave the elements, it’s a great opportunity to get some clams.”
Digging days and evening tides during the upcoming opening are:
• Wednesday; 4:14 p.m., -0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Thursday; 5:02 p.m., -0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Friday; 5:45 p.m., -0.9 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Saturday; 6:26 p.m., -1.0 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis
• Sunday; 7:05 p.m., -0.9 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Monday, Dec. 8; 7:44 p.m., -0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Tuesday, Dec. 9; 8:21 pm, -0.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
Fish & Wildlife has proposed another dig in mid-December beginning on Dec. 19, if upcoming marine toxin tests are favorable.
Shellfish managers also announced a new schedule of proposed digs for early 2015, which extends an opening tentatively set for Dec. 31. The schedule proposes six more days of digging during the first week in January and three more multi-day digs through February.
Under state law, diggers are required to keep the first 15 clams they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container. All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2014-15 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 the department’s website at http://ift.tt/1czn9Tv and from license vendors around the state.
Fish & Wildlife has razor clam recipes as well as advice on digging and cleaning clams on its webpage at http://ift.tt/18hSAzn.
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