Razor Clam Society

According to a notice from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), the tentative planned second November razor clam opening at Twin Harbors will proceed.   The most recent round of marine toxin testing for Twin Harbors is complete and the results are below the action level. The approved dig dates and low tide times are below.

• Nov. 26, Saturday, 4:47 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Twin Harbors
• Nov. 27, Sunday, 5:24 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Twin Harbors
• Nov. 28, Monday, 5:59 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Twin Harbors

The proposed opening at Long Beach will NOT be included as domoic acid levels continue to persist above the action level.  Any digging at Long Beach will be DELAYED until further notice.

Please check our dig date and tide table here for all the best up to date information.

After marine bio toxins closed several early season digs, and threatened closures on upcoming dig dates, beginning today, recreational razor clamming will finally be open on three beaches for the following three days.

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

• Nov. 17, Thursday, 8:37 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Nov. 18, Friday, 9:28 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Nov. 19, Saturday, 10:22 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

We hope you have a safe and successful dig.

Be sure to check out our website for additional information.

Happy Clamming!

According to a Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) press release razor clam digs that were scheduled to begin on Friday, October 28, have been canceled due to high levels of marine toxins in razor clams.

The promising start to the razor clamming season has encountered issues that are unavoidable. For the safety of razor clamming enthusiasts, the State Department of Health has issued the warning to ensure that we are safe.

The next scheduled digs are set to begin on November 12. Let’s hope that the toxin levels drop in the next couple of week.  The digs will be confirmed a few days prior to that date.

According to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) the highly anticipated upcoming razor clam dig from Nov. 12-16 that was tentatively planned at Twin Harbors and Long Beach, has been canceled due to elevated marine toxin levels.

Our hard working friends at WDFW still hope to move forward with three days of digging from Nov. 17-19 at four Washington ocean beaches, pending the results of further testing for domoic acid.

For those that do not know; Domoic Acid is a natural toxin produced by certain types of algae, and can be harmful, or even fatal, if consumed in sufficient quantities.

Neither Long Beach nor Twin Harbors have met state public health standards for toxins. Those beaches may be approved if testing results for domoic acid come back below the State Department of Health levels.

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.