WDFW approves razor clam digs at Copalis, Mocrocks

OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can count on openings beginning Feb. 19 at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches, state shellfish managers announced today.

Additionally, Long Beach remains open to clam digging on afternoon or evening tides through March 10.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved a two-day opening (Feb. 19 and 20) at Copalis and three days of digging (Feb. 19-21) at Mocrocks on evening tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.

Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, recommends that diggers arrive at the beach an hour or two before low tide for best results. However, digging is not allowed on any beach before noon.

The upcoming dig at is scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides:

Feb. 19, Friday, 4:33 p.m .; 0.0 feet, Copalis, Mocrocks, Long Beach

Feb. 20, Saturday, 5:17 p.m .; -0.1 feet, Copalis, Mocrocks, Long Beach

Feb. 21, Sunday, 5:56 p.m .; -0.2 feet, Mocrocks, Long Beach

For additional information about low tides at Long Beach, check WDFW’s razor clam webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html.

Ayres reminds diggers that the best digging conditions are on low tides of one foot or lower. Diggers also should monitor WDFW’s main razor clam webpage for any potential changes to the Long Beach opening.

This is the first opening at Mocrocks since elevated levels of domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, forced WDFW to close beaches to digging last spring.

The department is continuing to monitor toxin levels on all Washington beaches and will open other areas as soon as those clams are safe to eat. Toxin test results can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/domoic_levels.html.

Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2015-16 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW's website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.