Razor clam dig approved for Jan. 18-21

OLYMPIA - Clam diggers today got the go-ahead to proceed with a razor-clam dig Jan. 18-21, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

Twin Harbors will open for late-afternoon digs Jan. 18-21, while Long Beach and Copalis will open on Jan. 19 and 20 only. The digs were approved after marine toxin tests showed the clams were safe to eat.

As with previous digs, digging will be allowed only during the hours between noon and midnight.

The January schedule includes two extra days for Twin Harbors but no days for Mocrocks, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for WDFW.

"Mocrocks will be closed in January to ensure there'll be enough clams for a spring dig on that beach," Ayres said. Mocrocks Beach includes Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips.

Kalaloch will remain closed throughout the 2008 season. D

epending on harvest data from January's digs, WDFW may also announce additional digging opportunities at certain beaches in February, Ayres said.

Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2007 Washington state annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination license is still valid. Another option is a razor-clam only license available in annual or three-day only versions. Descriptions of the various licensing options are available on the WDFW website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

Ayres said the best time to start digging at all beaches is an hour or two before low tide.

Opening dates and tides are:

• Jan. 18, Friday, 2:56 p.m., +0.6, Twin Harbors only.
• Jan. 19, Saturday, 3:58 p.m., +0.1, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Jan. 20, Sunday, 4:53 p.m., -0.4, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Jan. 21, 2008; Monday; 5:44 p.m., -0.6, Twin Harbors only.

Locations of beaches scheduled to open are:

• Long Beach, which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.
• Twin Harbors Beach, which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the mouth of Grays Harbor.
• Copalis Beach, which extends from the Grays Harbor North Jetty to the Copalis River, and includes beaches near Copalis, Ocean Shores, Oyhut and Ocean City.

Ayres also reminded diggers that Washington's beaches, which are managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, are considered state highways and all rules of the road apply.

Under the law:

• Seatbelts must be worn at all times.
• The speed limit on the beach is 25 MPH.
• Pedestrians have the right-of-way and vehicles must yield at all times.

Also, visitors should not park on approaches to the beach in order to provide clear passage for vehicles that are entering or exiting.