Two-day razor clam dig cleared to get under way Nov. 25

[Marc Martyn]

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

November 18, 2011
Contact: Dan Ayres, (360) 249-4628, ext. 209

Two-day razor clam dig cleared to get under way Nov. 25

OLYMPIA - Clam diggers today got a green light to proceed with a two-day razor clam dig starting the day after Thanksgiving Day at several ocean beaches.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig after marine toxin tests showed that the clams on those beaches are safe to eat.

Four beaches - Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks - will open to razor clam digging on evening tides on Friday, Nov. 25. Three of those beaches - Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks - will remain open to digging Saturday, Nov. 26.

No digging will be allowed either day before noon.

"Digging razor clams is a popular way to burn off a big Thanksgiving dinner," said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. "Fortunately, we have some nice low tides for the holiday this year."

For best results, Ayres recommends that clam diggers hit the beach an hour or two before the evening low tide. On Nov. 25, an evening low tide of -1.9 feet will occur at 6:27 p.m. The evening low tide Nov. 26 will be -1.8 feet at 7:14 p.m.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2011-12 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licensing options range from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, which can be purchased on WDFW's website (https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) and from license vendors around the state.

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.

Because Copalis Beach will not be open for digging Nov. 26, Ayres cautions diggers to observe the boundary between Mocrocks Beach and Copalis Beach, which are adjacent to one another north of Grays Harbor.

Mocrocks Beach, which will be open to digging both days, lies north of the Copalis River and includes Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Seabrook, Pacific Beach and Moclips. Copalis Beach lies south of the Copalis River and includes Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis.

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