Last of the razor clam digs?
Published 12:25 pm Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The current — and possibly the last of the season — coastal razor clam dig continues through May 8 on Long Beach and Twin Harbors beaches, joined by Mocrocks beaches on Saturday and Sunday. Copalis and Kalaloch are closed for the season, according to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife clam manager Dan Ayres in Montesano.
Mocrocks beaches open to digging over the weekend will include areas north of the Copalis River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips.
For a look at The Herald’s recent Razor Clams 101 guide, click here
Tides are as follows: Today, minus 0.8 feet at 8:40 a.m.; May 6, minus 0.8 feet at 9:18 a.m.; May 7, minus 0.6 feet at 10 a.m.; and May 8, minus 0.4 feet at 10:46 a.mThe Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the digs on two beaches – Long Beach and Twin Harbors – last month, but recently said that these may be the final ones of the season. The morning digs run for six straight days from this past Tuesday to Sunday. Mocrocks Beach, which extends north from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Indian Reservation, will also be open for razor-clam digging on Saturday and Sunday.
Here’s more from a press release from the state:
“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.
“Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish coordinator, said clam diggers have taken most of the razor clams available for harvest this season on Washington’s ocean beaches.
“ ‘ The April opener was very successful, both in terms of weather conditions and the number of clams dug,’ Ayres said. ‘After this next dig, we’ll have to see if any more clams can be harvested under the state’s share of the annual quota.’
“Two beaches – Copalis and Kalaloch – are closed for the season, said Ayres, noting that the April dig brought Copalis Beach up to 98.8 percent of the state’s harvest quota. ‘What remains isn’t enough for even one more day of digging,’ he said.”
