ARCHIVED NEWS RELEASE
This document is provided for archival purposes only. Archived documents
do not reflect current WDFW regulations or policy and may contain factual
inaccuracies.
News release Jan. 17, 2007
OLYMPIA - Clam diggers today got the green light to proceed with a razor clam dig Jan. 19-21 on evening tides at Twin Harbors Beach.
All other ocean beaches will remain closed to razor clam digging this month.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the three-day dig at Twin Harbors Beach - which stretches from the mouth of Grays Harbor to the mouth of Willapa Bay - after marine toxin tests showed that the clams are safe to eat.
As with previous digs this season, digging will be allowed only during the hours between noon and midnight.
"This month's opening is specifically designed to give diggers an opportunity to take advantage of the large number of clams still available at Twin Harbors," said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. "At most other beaches, we're trying to conserve clams so there will still be some available for digs this spring."
The best time to start digging is an hour or two before low tide, Ayres said. Evening low tides during the upcoming opening at Twin Harbors Beach are:
- Jan. 19, Friday, 6:54 p.m., -0.6 ft.
- Jan. 20, Saturday, 7:34 p.m., -0.6 ft.
- Jan. 21, Sunday, 8:13 p.m., -0.4 ft.
Ayres noted that WDFW has tentatively scheduled another evening dig at Twin Harbors and three other ocean beaches in mid-February. Final word on that dig will be announced once the results of a new round of marine toxin tests are available, he said.
Under WDFW rules, harvesters may take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 taken, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's limit must be kept in a separate container.
A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2006 annual shellfish/seaweed, razor clam or combination license is still valid. Licenses can be purchased via the Internet at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, by telephone (1-866-246-9453) or in person at more than 600 license vendors throughout the state. A list of vendors can be found at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/vendors.