LONG BEACH — Razor clam digging is open through Monday on Long Beach Peninsula with a bonus daily limit of 25 clams.
State shellfish managers agreed to increase the daily limit, which normally is 15 clams, at Long Beach because the beach has been closed much of this clam season due to elevated levels of marine toxins.
“We wanted to provide diggers with some additional opportunity at Long Beach since we know there are plenty of clams there for harvest,’’ said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The increased limit of 25 clams per day applies only at Long Beach, Ayres said. Diggers at Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis can harvest the typical limit of 15 clams per day.
Diggers are required to keep the first 15 clams (or first 25 at Long Beach) they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
Long Beach’s annual razor clam festival is Saturday and Sunday.
Low tides are -1.8 feet at 8:42 a.m. Friday, -1.7 feet at 9:32 a.m. Saturday, -1.3 feet at 10:24 a.m. Sunday and -0.8 feet at 11:20 a.m. Monday.
State health officials recently requested additional toxin tests at all four beaches after increased amounts of the algae that can cause domoic acid were observed in ocean waters.
A natural toxin, domoic acid can be harmful or even fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities.
“The latest round of test results indicate we’re in the clear for digging,’’ Ayres said.
A decision about possible additional digging dates in May will be announced following another round of toxin tests next week.
