Razor clam digging resumes this week on the Long Beach Peninsula, after being closed all season. (BILL WAGNER/Longview Daily News)
Closed for all season due to high marine toxin levels, razor clam digging opens Wednesday on the Long Beach Peninsula, providing a big economic boost to a struggling coastal economy.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on Tuesday announced the next round of open days for razor clams for four beaches including Wednesday through Sunday at Long Beach.
Pending additional tests showing the clams are safe to eat, the state plans to open Long Beach again from April 24 through May 1.
“It’s huge,’’ said Butch Smith, a Port of Ilwaco commissioner. “Clam digging got consistent the last few years, something people could plan on pretty much from the first of October to the first of May. Then we lost it this winter. It probably costs 10,000 to 15,000 people (visitors to the coast) each clam tide.’’
The lack of visitors hurt the restaurants and motels on the Long Beach peninsula, he added.
“There are new motels in Long Beach,’’ Smith said. “The Port of Ilwaco has a new restaurant. They were counting on clam season. It’s late, but it will certainly be a shot in the arm for business. They won’t have to wait for summer.’’
Clam digging at Long Beach has been closed since early May 2016 due to elevated levels of domoic acid, a naturally occuring marine toxin. Clams must test lower than 20 parts per million of domoic acid on two consecutive tests before harvest is allowed.
“We know that people have been waiting to dig razor clams at Long Beach for a long time, and we’re pleased we can finally add that beach to the line-up,’’ said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Toxin levels there and at the other three beaches are all well within state health standards.’’
Clam diggers normally hit the beach about two hours before low tide.
Low tides are 0.0 feet at 8:08 a.m. Wednesday, 0.0 feet at 8:43 a.m. Thursday, 0.1 feet at 9:18 a.m. Friday, 0.3 feet at 9:55 a.m. Saturday and 0.5 feet at 10:36 a.m. Sunday.
Digging in the spring is on morning tides only. No digging is allowed after noon.
Diggers are permitted 15 clams per person and must keep the first 15 dug. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
Diggers need a 2017-18 license. An annual razor clam license costs $14.10. A three-day license is $9.70.
Ayres said a final decision on the April 24-May 1 should be announced early next week.
Morning Briefing Newsletter
Get a rundown of the latest local and regional news every Mon-Fri morning.
