Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) has just announced in a press release that the next found of proposed razor clam digs beginning Friday, October 28, will depend on a second test for marine toxins.

According to WDFW, rising levels of domoic acid in the razor clams could cause closures of the upcoming digs. That’s bad news for razor clammers eager for good conditions on a weekend since the season opener on October 14 was hit by a severe storm causing many eager razor clammers to stay home.

Be sure to check the Razor Clam Society website for approved dig dates and low tide times, or refer to WDFW’s site.

According to a Press Release, Canada’s Haida Gwaii razor clam fishery is now rated as “best choice” by a pair of major seafood sustainability programs.

Razor clammers can expect very extreme weather for the upcoming season opener on October 14. Please review the National Weather Service Bulletin. Please be cautious and vigilant in your digging.

According to a Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) press release, Twin Harbors will open to razor clam digging along with Copalis and Mocrocks beaches when the fall season gets underway Oct. 14.

Shellfish managers gave the green light today on a six-day razor clam dig beginning Oct. 14 at Twin Harbors after marine toxin tests indicate clams there are safe to eat. Last week, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved a three-day opening (Oct. 14 through Oct. 16) at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches.

The upcoming dig is approved on the following beaches, dates and evening low tides:

• Oct. 14, Friday, 5:55 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 15, Saturday, 6:42 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 16, Sunday, 7:28 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 17, Monday, 8:16 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Twin Harbors
• Oct. 18, Tuesday, 9:04 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Twin Harbors
• Oct. 19, Wednesday, 9:55 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Twin Harbors

No digging will be allowed those days before noon.

And remember, 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 2016-17 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 from license vendors around the state and WDFW’s licensing customer service number at (360) 902-2464.

According to a press release from Wasington’s Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), Washington’s fall razor clam season will begin Friday, Oct. 14 at Copalis and Mocrocks as planned, but the status of Twin Harbors in that dig will depend on the results of one more marine toxin test.

Long Beach will remain closed to clam digging due to test results that show domoic acid levels that exceed the amount deemed safe under state health standards.

Tests have found toxin levels at Twin Harbors meet state health standards, but the Washington Department of Health has asked for one more test to make sure. WDFW will announce the results of that test on Monday, Oct. 10.

Digs currently approved at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches will run Oct. 14-16 on evening tides. No digging will be allowed those days before noon. Evening low tides will be:

Oct. 14, Friday, 5:55 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks
Oct. 15, Saturday, 6:42 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks

Oct. 16, Sunday, 7:28 p.m.; -1.1 feet; 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.

According to a press release, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) are funding development of a harmful algal bloom (HAB) forecast in the Pacific Northwest to support management of shellfisheries, clamming beaches, and human health. The experimental monitoring and forecasting system will launch in 2017, with forecast bulletins predicting bloom location and concentration several days in advance.

This is very important news for razor clammers. While we do not know how to stop the HAB’s, predicting when and where they will hit should help Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife WDFW and Washington Department of Health WADOH focus resources where they will have the most impact and ensure razor clams are safe to eat.

Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, an outdoor clothing manufacturer, recently reported to Bloomberg Businessweek that,”Shellfish is the most responsible form of animal protein, because mussels and clams are just filter feeders”. Chouinard made the comment while discussing a new food company set up by Patagonia called Provisions. Provisions aims to create food products that meet a regenerative production criteria set by the company. Patagonia produced a short film to introduce the concept called Unbroken Ground. The short film prominently features groups from Washington State that Patagonia is working with to create the new food products.

While Patagonia Razor Clam Chips may be a long way off, we welcome Mr. Chouinard to come and dig razor clams with us.

The 2016-2017 season opener will take place next weekend. Tide times and beaches are listed below.

• Oct. 14, Friday, 5:55 p.m.;   0.2 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 15, Saturday, 6:42 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 16, Sunday, 7:28 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks