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11/19/2007
 
 
NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091

Contact: Dan Ayres, (360) 249-4628

Razor Clam Dig On 4 Ocean Beaches Approved For Thanksgiving Holiday

OLYMPIA – Clam diggers got the go-ahead to proceed with the second razor-clam dig of the fall season, starting Friday, Nov. 23, on evening tides at four beaches.

Evening digs are scheduled at Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks Nov. 23 and 24. One beach — Twin Harbors — will also open for additional evening digs on Nov. 25 and 26.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the digs at the four beaches after a series of marine toxin tests confirmed the clams were safe to eat.

Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Park will remain closed throughout the 2007-08 season, due to the low clam population on that beach.

“Holidays are a popular time for people to go clam digging,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for WDFW. “We’re pleased the tides allowed us to offer folks this opportunity.”

Digging will be restricted to the hours between noon and midnight each day at all beaches. The best time to start digging is an hour or two before low tide, said Ayres, who recommends taking a lantern for evening digs.

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. Clam diggers are no longer required to display their licenses on outer clothing.

A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2007 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 evening low tides are:

bulletFriday, Nov. 23 (5:21 p.m. –1.3) all beaches (except Kalaloch)
bulletSaturday, Nov. 24 (6:11 p.m. -1.7) all beaches (except Kalaloch)
bulletSunday, Nov. 25 (7:00 p.m. -1.8) Twin Harbors only
bulletMonday, Nov. 26 (7:48 p.m. -1.6) Twin Harbors only

Beaches scheduled to open are:

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

 

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