Public meetings to focus on declining razor clam population

OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has scheduled a series of public meetings in September to discuss how a decline in the harvestable number of razor clams may limit upcoming clamming seasons.

The falling razor clam population apparently is due to a bacterial infection known as "NIX". The infection was responsible for large clam loses in the mid-1980's.

Each of the following five meetings will begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.:

Long Beach -- Sept. 16 at the Breakers Motel meeting room, at the corner of Highway 103 and 26th St.
Copalis Beach -- Sept. 17 at the Sunrise Resort meeting room, 14 Heath Road.
Olympia -- Sept. 19 in room 172, Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St.
Forks -- Sept. 25 in the Quillayute Elementary School lunchroom, 310 S. Elderberry Ave.
Westport -- Sept. 26 in the Ocosta High School Commons, 2580 Montesano St. South.

Topics will include status of the clam population, season options, new management techniques and co-management with coastal tribes.

The department will announce razor clam season options for this fall after meetings with the tribes as well as the public.