Razor clam dig proposed for March 7-12

OLYMPIA - A razor-clam dig has been tentatively scheduled March 7-12 at one ocean beach and March 8-9 at another, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced.

The proposed six-day razor clam dig will open on evening tides March 7 and 8, then switch to morning tides March 9-12.

Twin Harbors will be open for digging on all six days, while Long Beach will open on March 8-9 only, once marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat.

WDFW is able to offer the March opener because blustery weather conditions caused many people to stay home from February's dig, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for WDFW.

"The weather and surf conditions during the February opener were tough, so effort and catch were down considerably," Ayres said. "The good news is we have sufficient clams left to offer a dig in March."

Digs also may be scheduled in April at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis if enough clams are available for harvest, Ayres said.

Kalaloch will remain closed throughout the 2008 season.

Ayres reminded people that clam digs on evening tides are allowed only during the hours between noon and midnight, while each morning dig must be completed by noon.

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.

Opening dates and tides are:

• March 7, Friday, 6:21 p.m., +0.3: Twin Harbors only
• March 8, Saturday, 6:58 p.m., +0.5: Twin Harbors and Longbeach only
• March 9, Sunday, 8:28 a.m., +0.3: Twin Harbors and Longbeach only (switch to morning tides)
• March 10, Monday, 9:12 a.m., 0.0: Twin Harbors only
• March 11, Tuesday, 9:59 a.m., -0.1: Twin Harbors only
• March 12, Wednesday, 10:51 a.m., 0.0: 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.