According to an email received from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) Coastal Shellfish Manager, Dan Ayres, 3 (that’s THREE) more days of razor clam digging have been approved, adding to the 4 previously approved dig dates that were announced.
Today was the 2020-2021 razor clamming season opener. The weather was warm and amazing out on the beach. Winds were light… the clams were digging deep and fast and put up a good fight.
Be sure to share your stories and experiences digging clams with us. #razorclamsociety @razorclamsociety
Upcoming APPROVED digs are scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides:
AM TIDES ONLY
Sept. 16, Wednesday, 6:17 am, -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Sept. 17, Thursday, 6:58 am, -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Sept. 18, Friday, 7:39 am, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Sept. 19, Saturday, 8:19 am, -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
PM TIDES ONLY
Sept. 20, Sunday, 9:43 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Sept. 21, Monday, 10:37 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Sept. 22, Tuesday, 11:37 pm, -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Check the Beach Map to ensure you are on the correct approved beach.
Get your Razor Clam Society T-shirts here! Free shipping!!!!
Be sure to share your stories and experiences digging clams with us. #razorclamsociety @razorclamsociety
The DAILY LIMIT per person is 15 clams, no matter what condition they are in, once removed from the sand. That limit is subject to change. Always check with official sources if you have any questions. Digging BEFORE Noon during the Fall/Winter season on the approved days is not allowed. All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. And, each digger must keep their razor clams in a separate container. Don’t mix your clams. 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.
Razor Clam Society 
Hi…in your “3 more digs approved” statement dated Sept 16, you say a WDFW email approved 3 more digs (evenings Sun/Mon/Tue). However, when I search the WDFW site, I cannot find anything anywhere, including news releases, that indicates this is a true statement. Can you please attach/forward said email. Thank you.
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You are receiving this message because you have expressed interest in Washington State’s recreational razor clam fishery. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please reply to this message.
RECREATIONAL RAZOR CLAM OPENER: The September 16, 2020 recreational razor clam is proceeding on Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks. Please note that Copalis and Mocrocks are open on alternate days. Please be sure you are on the right beach…thanks!
Copalis includes; Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City, Copalis Beach. Mocrocks includes; Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Seabrook, Pacific Beach, Moclips.
Note that there are NEW SIGNS on each Copalis and Mocrocks beach approach road that identify the beach you are about to enter.
Please use these signs to ensure that you are on a beach that is open. You can do that by checking our latest news release (https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams#current ) or you can use a smart phone to scan the QR code on each sign taking you directly to the latest news release.
The confirmed opening dates are:
AM TIDES ONLY
Sept. 16, Wednesday, 6:17 am, -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Sept. 17, Thursday, 6:58 am, -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Sept. 18, Friday, 7:39 am, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Sept. 19, Saturday, 8:19 am, -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
PM TIDES ONLY
Sept. 20, Sunday, 9:43 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Sept. 21, Monday, 10:37 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Sept. 22, Tuesday, 11:37 pm, -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
RAZOR CLAM MANAGEMENT UPDATE: Our annual presentation that includes a review of the 2019-20 season and the findings from our summer 2020 Razor Clam Stock Assessment is now online. Feel free to read through it and let us know if you have any questions or comments. It can be found at: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams#management
MARINE TOXIN UPDATE: Listed below are the most recent marine toxin levels, as announced by the Washington Department of Health (WDOH). As you can see, these samples are all below the action level for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) from Domoic Acid, Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) and Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison (DSP).
Recall, before a beach can be opened for the harvest of razor clams, WDOH protocol requires that all razor clam samples collected from that beach must test under the action level (20 ppm for domoic acid; 80 µg/100g for PSP; and 16 µg/100g for DSP).
Note that only razor clam meat tissue is tested.
The following are the results from the second round (on all beaches) and third round (only at Long Beach and Twin Harbors) of tests.
These samples were all collected on 9/9/2020 or 9/10/2020.
Long Beach Reserve (north):
domoic acid = 5 ppm
PSP = none detected
DSP = none detected
Twin Harbors Area CL (middle):
domoic acid = 5 ppm
PSP = none detected
DSP = none detected
Copalis Area XL (middle)
domoic acid = 4 ppm
PSP = none detected
DSP = none detected
Mocrocks Area CP (middle)
domoic acid = 2 ppm
PSP = none detected
DSP = none detected
For more information on razor clams, including how seasons are set, population sampling techniques and how to dig, clean and cook razor clams please see the following link:
https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams
For more information on marine toxins, see the following links:
https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Shellfish/RecreationalShellfish/Illnesses/Biotoxins/AmnesicShellfishPoisoning
https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Shellfish/RecreationalShellfish/Illnesses/Biotoxins/ParalyticShellfishPoison
Dan L. Ayres | Coastal Shellfish Manager
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Region Six
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