Razor Clam Society

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

Just when we thought it was going to be an issue free razor clamming season, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sends out a press release indicating that rising marine toxin levels have prompted them to delay the upcoming razor clam digs at Long Beach and to review openings at other ocean beaches.

WDFW also said that they will continues to monitor toxin levels to determine whether razor clam digging can proceed at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches.

WDFW previously announced a tentative schedule of digs for Oct. 14 through Dec. 31 at the four ocean beaches.

Dan Ayres, WDFW Coastal Shellfish Manager, said that digging at Long Beach will be on hold until tests indicate toxin levels have dropped and the clams are safe to eat.

Test results on razor clams dug recently at Long Beach indicate levels of domoic acid exceed the threshold (20 parts per million) set by state public health officials. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or even fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities.

Press Release

RE: State of the Clam Address

Olympia- The 2015-2016 razor clamming season in Washington State saw some early challenges, but gathered momentum in what became a fantastic season rivaling the last. The season was dramatically shortened due to a very late season opening around Christmas caused by high levels of toxicity in the clams. Grayland / Twin Harbors remained closed all season, carrying over from an early closure of the previous season due to persistent and high levels of toxicity in the clams on that beach.

However, the 2016-2017 season looks like it will be bountiful. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) has just announced a mid-October season opening. That’s great news for us razor clammers eager to get out on the beaches. And, according to WDFW, the clam population numbers look stronger than ever.

Recreational razor clamming remains one of the most popular licensed outdoor recreational activities in Washington State. According to WDFW, over 59,000 razor clamming specific licenses were sold in the State this season. That number trended lower due to the late opening. The previous season, which was also cut short, saw the sale of over 75,000 licenses. The season before that, 80,000 licenses were sold.

The number of trips made for license holders to dig razor clams characterizes just how dedicated people are to this sport.  During the course of the past seasons, 327,544 trips were made by razor clammers to the beaches to dig. During the 2014-2015 season 451,046 trips, and for the 2013-2014 season, 418,675 trips were made.

Recreational razor clamming enjoys a long season and broad and enthusiastic participation. A normal razor clamming season extends from late September or early October through mid to late May. The demographics of razor clammers are wide-ranging; from the very young to the very old, people from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and geographies. Entire multi-generational families dig razor clams together.  It is an all-inclusive outdoor activity.

Razor clamming is an easy activity to become involved in. All a recreational clammer needs is a valid harvest license (if 15 years of age or older) and an individual container, usually a small net, to hold the clams in. Clammers are limited to the first 15 clams they dig. While digging clams by hand is possible, it is easier to use a small shovel or clam gun.

During the course of our first full year of operations, the Razor Clam Society has participated in seven well-attended festival and fairs. We raised some funds through a crowdfunding campaign, and received numerous small donations from the public we interacted with. We also began an effort to collect the requisite 3,500 names necessary to seek the issuance of a Razor Clam license plate through the Washington State Department of Licensing.  We recently attended, and assisted in, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife annual razor clam stock assessment. Video of those activities were posted on our website and social media. Over the course of 3 days the videos had been viewed more than 4,000 times. People are excited about and interested in razor clamming.  And finally, the Razor Clam Society became a partner in the Washington State Governor’s Shellfish Initiative.

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About the Razor Clam Society:

The Razor Clam Society is a Washington State non-profit charitable organization established in October 2015 and registered with the State’s combined fund drive. We are also registered as an official 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization with the IRS.

The Razor Clam Society is dedicated to promoting recreational razor clamming. Our aim is to build a highly engaged community of razor clammers to ensure the viability of razor clamming for the enjoyment of future generations. Our efforts focus on four things: 1) conservation; 2) representing the clamming community to local and state government; 3) connecting local economies to the broader clamming community; and 4) highlighting how much fun responsible clamming practices can be.

According to a Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) press release found here, the first razor clam digs of the 2016-2017 fall season are tentatively planned for mid-October on four ocean beaches with additional digs tentatively scheduled through December.

As is always the case, final approval of all scheduled openings will depend on results of marine toxin tests conducted by Washington State Department of Health that show the clams are safe to eat.

WDFW shellfish managers also seek comments on the spring digs. Comments can be sent via email to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov. Also available is a summary of last season and an overview of the recently completed 2016-17 razor clam stock assessment.

WDFW estimates the total razor clam population on Washington’s ocean beaches has increased slightly over last year.

WDFW assessments indicate that Long Beach has the largest population of razor clams the department has measured in the last 25 years. And the Twin Harbors population is strong. It is also reported that Mocrocks and Copalis show population declines, suggesting fewer digging days on those beaches this year.

Video of razor clam stock assessments can be found here.

The first proposed razor clam dig, along with evening low tides and beaches, is listed below:

• Oct. 14, Friday, 5:55 p.m.;   0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 15, Saturday, 6:42 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 16, Sunday, 7:28 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 17, Monday, 8:16 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Oct. 18, Tuesday, 9:04 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Oct. 19, Wednesday, 9:55 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Oct. 20, Thursday, 10:50 p.m.; -0.7 feet;   Long Beach
• Oct. 21, Friday, 11:50 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach

Proposed razor clam digs through December 31, 2016 can be found here.

 

Razor Clam Society T-Shirts have arrived. Available in Royal Blue, Hanes pre-shrunk cotton. Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, XL, & XX-Large. Visit our website to get yours today!

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