Razor Clam Society

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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Attention Razor Clammers: according to a press release from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, the last digs and tides of the 2015-2016 season are as follows:

• May 20, Friday, 6:37 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• May 21, Saturday, 7:12 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• May 22, Sunday, 7:47 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Mocrocks

Our friends at Department of Health came back with marine toxin tests that showed the clams on those beaches are safe to eat. No digging will be allowed at either beach after noon.

Don’t forget your license! See you on the beach!

According to a press release (found here) Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers have added four days of razor clam digging at Mocrocks to a previously scheduled opening at Long Beach to offer a full week of digging starting May 6.

As always, the digs were approved after marine toxin tests required by the Department of Health showed the clams on the proposed beaches were safe to eat.

WDFW conducted evaluations that showed the harvest levels indicating there were still clams to dig on the open beaches.

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

• May 6, Friday, 6:51 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach
• May 7, Saturday, 7:39 a.m.; -2.0 feet; Long Beach
• May 8, Sunday, 8:26 a.m.; -2.1 feet; Long Beach
• May 9, Monday, 9:14 a.m.; -1.9 feet; Mocrocks
• May 10, Tuesday, 10:03 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Mocrocks
• May 11, Wednesday, 10:55 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Mocrocks
• May 12, Thursday, 11:49 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Mocrocks

Remember, digging is not allowed on any beach after noon with the exception of Mocrocks on May 12, when digging will be allowed for an extra hour, until 1 p.m., due to the later low tide.

Late May Digs Proposed

WDFW is also proposing three days of digging at Mocrocks and two days at Copalis later in the month. These will be the last digs on those two beaches for the season. The department will announce whether the digs can proceed, pending the results of marine toxin tests, about a week before the digs are scheduled to start.

Below is a list of proposed digs, along with low tides and beaches:

• May 20, Friday, 6:37 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• May 21, Saturday, 7:12 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• May 22, Sunday, 7:47 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Mocrocks

Today is Earth Day. Celebrate by digging some razor clams throughout the weekend. Also, sign up for Coast Saver activities here to do your part in keeping important coastal habitat clean.

Weekend dig dates are below. Remember to follow all the guidelines for legal and ethical razor clamming.

• April 22, Friday, 7:35 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach
• April 23, Saturday, 8:08 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
• April 24, Sunday, 8:42 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach

Good news razor clammers! According to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), dig dates for the rest of April have been approved and dates for digging in May have been proposed.

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

• April 20, Wednesday, 6:25 a.m.; 0.6 feet; Long Beach
• April 21, Thursday, 7:01 a.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach
• April 22, Friday, 7:35 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach
• April 23, Saturday, 8:08 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
• April 24, Sunday, 8:42 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach
• April 25, Monday, 9:18 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks, Copalis
• April 26, Tuesday, 9:56 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks, Copalis
• April 27, Wednesday, 10:39 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach
• April 28, Thursday, 11:28 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach

Tentative razor clam dates in May 2016

Meanwhile, WDFW has also proposed additional digs in May, pending the results of future marine toxin tests:

• May 6, Friday, 6:51 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach
• May 7, Saturday, 7:39 a.m.; -2.0 feet; Long Beach
• May 8, Sunday, 8:26 a.m.; -2.1 feet; Long Beach

According to a press release found here, WDFW has approved dig dates for April. A list of those dates and tides appears below.

Also, the new license year began on April 1, so be sure to pick up a new razor clam tag before heading out to the beach.

April 9 & 10 is also the Long Beach Razor Clam Festival.  Excellent low morning tides coincide with this annual razor clam festival and weather forecasts look very good.

If you head to Long Beach during the festival, be sure to stop by the Razor Clam Society information booth to talk about razor clamming, share stories, and pick up a Razor Clam Society decal.

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

• April 3, Sunday, 4:13 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach
• April 4, Monday, 5:04 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach
• April 5, Tuesday, 5:51 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach
• April 6, Wednesday, 6:36 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach
• April 7, Thursday, 7:07 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks
• April 8, Friday, 7:54 a.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks
• April 9, Saturday, 8:42 a.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Copalis
• April 10, Sunday, 9:32 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
• April 11, Monday, 10:23 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach
• April 12, Tuesday, 11:19 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach

See you on the beach!