Razor clam dig OK’d
Published 6:24 pm Wednesday, April 13, 2011
After last weekend’s digs, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife seem to think it’d be just fine to go forward with more.
The state gave the go-ahead to another round of razor-clam digs on ocean beaches on April 19-23
Check out The Herald’s how-to guide to razor clam diggin in Sunday’s Great Outdoors page
Here’s more from a state press release:
“OLYMPIA – Clam diggers today got a green light to proceed with a five-day razor clam dig on ocean beaches scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 19.
“The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig – the second of two openings this month – after marine toxin tests showed that the clams on all four beaches are safe to eat.
“Two beaches – Long Beach and Twin Harbors – will open for digging April 19 through April 22 until noon each day, plus April 23 until 1 p.m. Copalis and Mocrocks will be open for digging April 21-22 until noon and April 23 until 1 p.m. under that plan.
“Fishery managers agreed to an extra hour of digging Saturday, April 23, because low tide won’t occur until 11:27 a.m. that morning, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.
“Ayres noted that a coastwide beach cleanup is also scheduled that day, so diggers may encounter people carrying plastic bags as well as clam shovels. Last year, volunteers for CoastSavers removed 16 tons of trash along the Washington coastline and will have sign-up stations at a number of beaches.
” ‘Diggers who get their limits early might want to pitch in,’ Ayres said.
“Under state 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.”
