Marking the start of the spring season, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has tentatively scheduled razor-clam digs on ocean beaches late this month and again in mid-April.
As always, final approval of both digs will depend on results of marine toxin tests that show the clams are safe to eat.
Prospective diggers should note that the first opening – scheduled March 26-April 1 at various ocean beaches – starts on evening tides, then switches to morning tides for the final four days, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.
“The digs planned this month span the seasonal change, when the lowest tides shift from evening to morning hours,” Ayres said. “As in past months, razor-clam digging will be allowed after noon for the first three days of the opening, but will then switch to morning hours starting Monday, March 29.”
Tentative days, tides and beach openings for this month’s dig are:
- Friday, March 26, (4:29 p.m., +0.1)
- Saturday, March 27, (5:19 p.m., -0.1)
- Sunday, March 28, (6:04 p.m., 0.0)
- Monday, March 29, (6:35 A.M., -0.1)
- Tuesday, March 30, (7:22 A.M., -0.7)
- Wednesday, March 31, (8:07 A.M., -1.0)
- Thursday, April 1, (8:52 A.M., -1.0)
Another dig is also tentatively scheduled on morning tides in mid-April at Long Beach on the following days and beaches:
- Friday, April 16, (8:32 A.M., -0.7)
- Saturday, April 17, (9:12 A.M., -0.7)
- Sunday, April 18, (9:56 A.M., -0.6)
Any 2009-10 annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination license is valid through March 31. However, a new license will be required for anyone age 15 or older to participate in the April dig. Descriptions of the various licensing options are available on the WDFW website athttps://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.
Ayres said WDFW expects to announce additional razor-clam digs in late April or early May on most beaches, noting that several natural events have left more clams than usual available for harvest in spring. Those events include stormy weather in December, a marine toxin closure in January and last week’s tsunami advisory on the coast.
“Razor-clam diggers have had a bumpy ride this season, and we’re doing everything we can to add some additional digging opportunities,” Ayres said.
More information:
- WDFW Press Release
- Funbeach.com page on clamming, including Licensing | Season | Limit | How to Dig | Photos
