Final razor clam dig starts Saturday

OLYMPIA — Clam diggers received the go-ahead to proceed with the last razor clam dig of the spring season starting May 3, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

Long Beach and Twin Harbors Beach will open for morning digs May 3-7, while Copalis and Mocrocks are scheduled to open May 4-5 only.

WDFW approved the dig after marine toxin tests showed the clams were safe to eat.

No digging will be allowed after noon on any beach. Kalaloch Beach will remain closed to harvest.

A review of the total harvest levels after the April opener showed there were enough clams remaining for a May opener, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.

"We're pleased to offer folks another chance to get some clams," Ayres said. "The tides will be good for digging and hopefully the weather will cooperate."

Ayres reminded diggers that portions of the beach at Long Beach and Twin Harbors are closed to the public to protect nesting western snowy plovers, which are endangered.

At Long Beach, the closed area is located north of the Oysterville Road from the state park boundary north to Leadbetter Point. At Twin Harbors, the closed area is located from just south of Midway Beach Road to the first beach-access trail at Grayland Beach State Park. The closed portion at each beach includes the area beyond the mean high tide line.

"Signs clearly mark the area and instruct people to stay on the hard-packed sand," Ayres said.

All diggers must have an applicable 2008-09 fishing license to dig razor clams on any beach. A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Licenses can be purchased 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 is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/vendors.

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.

Dates and low tides are:

• Saturday, May 3, 5:27 a.m., -0.3 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only

• Sunday, May 4, 6:16 a.m., -1.2 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
• Monday, May 5, 7:04 a.m., -1.9 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
• Tuesday, May 6, 7:51 a.m., -2.3 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
• Wednesday, May 7, 8:39 a.m., -2.4 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only

Locations of Washington's razor-clam digging beaches included in this opener are:

• Long Beach, which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.

• Twin Harbors, which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.
• Copalis Beach, which extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River and includes the Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.
• Mocrocks Beach, which extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific beach and Moclips.