Month-long razor clam season set for Long Beach

LONG BEACH — More than a month of razor clam digging will begin Thursday at Long Beach on the southern Washington coast.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife approved the digging, which will continue through March 10. Marine toxin tests show Long Beach’s clams are safe to eat, but all other beaches remain closed.

“We had a late start to the digging season, so we still have plenty of clams to dig at Long Beach,’’ said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. “We’re thrilled to be able to announce this lengthy opening.’’

The dig at Long Beach is on afternoon and evening tides.

Low tides for the first week of the season are: Thursday, 3:41 p.m., 0.8 feet; Feb. 5, 4:28 p.m., 0.2 feet; Feb. 6, 5:11 p.m., -0.3 feet; Feb. 7, 5:52 p.m., -0.7 feet; Feb. 8, 6:32 p.m., -1.0 feet; Feb. 9, 7:12 p.m., -0.9 feet, and Feb. 10, 7:52 p.m., -0.7 feet.

Ayres said the best digging usually is one to two hours prior to low tide. For digging after Feb. 10, Ayres said to consult coastal tide tables. Tides higher than 1 foot are not conducive to digging.

Marine toxin tests show the clams at Copalis beach also are safe to eat, but managers are limiting digging to ensure the beach will have openings throughout the spring.

“Copalis was the first beach to open this season an we’ve already harvested nearly 40 percent of our annual quota,’’ Ayres said.

Razor clam digging on the other beaches will stay closed until domoic acid levels drop below 20 parts per million, the standard set by state public health officials. Domoic acid is a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae and can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities.

Toxin test results can be found online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/domoic_levels.html.

Diggers can take up to 15 razor clams per day and must keep the first 15 dug. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.

Licenses range from a three-day razor clam license ($9.70) to an annual combination fishing license ($55.35).

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