Long Beach to open to razor clam harvest on Feb. 8 and March 8

OLYMPIA -- Long Beach will open for razor clam harvesting on Feb. 8 and March 8, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

The beach will be open to clam digging from 12:01 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. in Razor Clam Area 1 (Long Beach) on both days. Department biologists say the clam population is large enough to allow two additional days of harvest this winter. At the public's request last fall, the department opened Long Beach to four one-day-per-month seasons rather than limiting it to four days in October. At public meetings last fall, the department said the season would be extended past January if clams continued to be available.

The Long Beach Razor Clam Sanctuary will remain closed to digging on Feb. 8 and March 8. The sanctuary is located from the middle of the Oysterville Approach for a quarter mile to the north.

Diggers must display a 1997 Shellfish/Seaweed License while harvesting and transporting razor clams. State residents aged 15 to 69 are charged $5 for the license. The licenses are $3 for persons aged 70 and over. Diggers aged 14 and under do not have to purchase a license. The annual licenses for non-residents are $20, although they may obtain a three-day license for $5.

Fishers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition.

Diggers should call the Washington Department of Health's Hotline to ensure marine toxins do not pose a threat prior to digging. The hotline number is 1-800-562- 5632.