Razor Clam Society

According to a press release from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), rising marine toxin levels of domoic acid will delay the first two days of a tentatively scheduled 8 day dig that was set to begin on April 24 and run through May 1.

“Domoic acid is a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae that can be harmful or even fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. The toxin has disrupted razor clam digs along Washington’s coast over the past two years”, the press release states.

Tentatively scheduled (NOT YET APPROVED) dig dates, beaches, and low tides are as:

• April 26, Wednesday, 7:09 a.m.; -1.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach
• April 27, Thursday, 7:55 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Long Beach
• April 28, Friday, 8:42 a.m.; -1.8 feet, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Long Beach
• April 29, Saturday, 9:32 a.m.; -1.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Long Beach
• April 30, Sunday, 10:24 a.m.; -1.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Long Beach
• May 1, Monday, 11:20 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach

And in other shellfish news: Scientists have FINALLY found the habitat & origin of Kuphus polythalamia, or Giant Shipworm. It’s not actually a worm at all, but the longest clam, or bivalve, on earth. Should make for some interesting chowder recipes!

According to a press release from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), razor clam digs have been approved beginning April 12 through April 16.

The upcoming digs have approved on the following beaches, dates and low tides.

•  April 12, Wednesday, 8:08 a.m., 0.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach

• April 13, Thursday, 8:43 a.m., 0.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Long Beach

• April 14, Friday, 9:18 a.m., 0.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Long Beach

• April 15, Saturday, 9:55 a.m., 0.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Long Beach

• April 16, Sunday, 10:36 a.m., 0.5 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Long Beach

Be Aware: All digs are morning tides.

New Annual Shellfish Licenses Are Required Beginning April 1. 

Additional information on how testing for shellfish safety occurs, and why it is needed, can be found on the Department of Health Shellfish Program website.

Also, be sure to check out the Razor Clam Society beach map located here.

And, as per 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.

WDFW is also urging clam diggers to: avoid disturbing snowy plovers and streaked horned larks. Both species nest in the soft, dry sand on the southern section of Twin Harbors beach and at Leadbetter Point on the Long Beach Peninsula. The snowy plover is a small bird with gray wings and a white breast. The lark is a small bird with a pale yellow breast and brown back. Male larks have a black mask, breast band and “horns.”

To protect these birds, the department asks that clam diggers avoid the dunes and areas of the beach with soft, dry sand. When driving to a clam-digging area, diggers should enter the beach only at designated access points and stay on the hard-packed sand near or below the high tide line.

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) has sent out an alert to all razor clammers heading out to Twin Harbors to dig. That alert comes from the Grays Harbor County Emergency Management. The text appears below:

According to a press release from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), razor clam digs have been approved beginning April 5 through April 9 at Twin Harbors

The upcoming digs have approved on the following beaches, dates and low tides.

• April 5, Wednesday, 3:06 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Twin Harbors
• April 6, Thursday, 4:08 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Twin Harbors
• April 7, Friday, 5:01 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Twin Harbors
• April 8, Saturday, 5:46 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Twin Harbors

The fifth day of digging will be conducted on the Morning Tide. Digs for the rest of the season will also be on morning tides.

• April 9, Sunday, 6:25 a.m.; 0.5 feet; Twin Harbors

And, be aware that New Annual Shellfish Licenses Are Required Beginning April 1. 

Additional information on how testing for shellfish safety occurs, and why it is needed, can be found on the Department of Health Shellfish Program website.

Also, be sure to check out the Razor Clam Society beach map located here.

And, as per 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 Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), razor clam digs have been approved beginning March 30 through April 2 on 2 different beaches.

The upcoming digs have approved on the following beaches, dates and MORNING low tides.

March 30, Thursday, 8:58 a.m.; -0.6 feet, Mocrocks

March 31, Friday, 9:47 a.m.; -0.6 feet, Copalis

April 1, Saturday, 10:40 a.m.; -0.5 feet, Mocrocks

April 2, Sunday; 11:39 a.m., -0.1 feet, Copalis

WDFW would like razor clam diggers to be aware that Copalis and Mocrocks are only open on specific days during this approved dig. Please make sure your destination beach is open before heading out to dig.

And, be aware that New Annual Shellfish Licenses Are Required After March 31 for the approved digs on April 1 & 2. 

Additional information on how testing for shellfish safety occurs, and why it is needed, can be found on the Department of Health Shellfish Program website.

Also, be sure to check out the Razor Clam Society beach map located here.

And, as per 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 Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), razor clam digs have been approved beginning March 24 on 2 different beaches.

The upcoming digs have approved on the following beaches, dates and evening low tides:

• March 24, Friday, 5:01 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Mocrocks
• March 25, Saturday, 5:44 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Copalis
• March 26, Sunday, 6:24 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Mocrocks

WDFW would like razor clam diggers to be aware that Copalis and Mocrocks are only open on specific days during this approved dig. Please make sure your destination beach is open before heading out to dig.

According to the Press Release, a planned dig at Twin Harbors has been canceled after test results showed elevated levels of domoic acid.

The Press Release further stated that: “domoic acid has posed an ongoing problem for shellfish fisheries along Washington’s coast since 2015. The natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae can be harmful or even fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities.”

Additional information on how testing for shellfish safety occurs, and why it is needed, can be found on the Department of Health Shellfish Program website.

Also, be sure to check out the Razor Clam Society beach map located here.

And, as per 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.

And, be aware that New Annual Shellfish Licenses Are Required After March 31.

According to a press release from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), razor clam digs have been approved beginning March 7 on 3 different beaches.

The upcoming digs have approved on the following beaches, dates and evening low tides:

March 7, Tuesday, 2:33 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Twin Harbors
March 8, Wednesday, 3:35 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Twin Harbors
March 9, Thursday, 4:28 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Mocrocks, Twin Harbors
March 10, Friday, 5:13 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Copalis, Twin Harbors
March 11, Saturday, 5:54 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Mocrocks, Twin Harbors
March 12, Sunday, 7:31 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Copalis, Twin Harbors
March 13, Monday, 8:06 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Twin Harbors

WDFW would like razor clam diggers to be aware that Copalis and Mocrocks are only open on specific days during this approved dig. Please make sure your destination beach is open before heading out to dig.

Be sure to check out the Razor Clam Society beach map located here.

And, as per 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 Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), razor clam digs have been approved beginning February 23 on 3 different beaches.
The upcoming digs have approved on the following beaches, dates and evening low tides:

Feb. 23, Thursday, 4:42 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Twin Harbors

Feb. 24, Friday, 5:21 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks, Twin Harbors

Feb. 25, Saturday, 5:58 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks, Twin Harbors

Feb. 26, Sunday, 6:34 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks, Twin Harbors

Feb. 27, Monday, 7:11 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Twin Harbors

Feb. 28, Tuesday, 7:48 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Twin Harbors

WDFW would like razor clam diggers to be aware that Copalis will be closed the last three days of the dig, when Mocrocks and Twin Harbors will remain open.

Be sure to check out the Razor Clam Society beach map located here.

And, as per 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.