Out and About: Entire Oregon coast closes for razor clams

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has announced the full closure of the Oregon coast to the harvest of razor clams. The department, in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), closed the season because marine toxin tests showed the clams had elevated levels of domoic acid.

The harvest of mussels has also been closed between the south jetty of the Coquille River and the California border, as a result of elevated levels of paralytic shellfish toxin. Mussels may still be harvested from the north jetty of the Coquille River to the Columbia River.

Recreational clammers may still harvest bay clams along the entire Oregon coast, and crabbing is open as well.

For more information: call ODA’s shellfish safety information hotline at 800- 448-2474 or visit the ODA shellfish closures webpage.

Washington digs probably not affected

Dan Ayers, the coastal shellfish manager for the WDFW, reports that there is little threat to upcoming razor clam digs along the Washington coast due to marine toxins. The algae that causes domoic acid has not been detected in any quantities along Long Beach or other razor clam beaches.

The next round of marine toxin testing ahead of the Christmas holiday digs will be completed this week, and an announcement concerning the openings will be issued shortly thereafter.

The next round of tentative digs is scheduled for the following beaches and tides:

• Dec. 23, Monday, 4:35 pm, -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Dec. 26, Thursday, 6:47 pm, -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

• Dec. 27, Friday, 7:26 p.m., -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Dec. 28, Saturday, 8:05 pm, -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

• Dec. 29, Sunday, 8:43 pm, -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Columbia salmon policy reforms discussed

During their meeting on Dec. 13-14 in Bellingham, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission (WFWC) made decisions concerning freshwater fishing rules simplification, heard updates on Southern Resident Orcas and hatchery reform, and discussed the ongoing Columbia River salmon reforms, among other business.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff presented an update on the Joint State Columbia River Salmon Fishery Policy Review Committee’s work on possible revisions to the Columbia River Salmon Management Policy. The director was asked by the commission to present information next month concerning the delegation of authority and to contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to discuss options for fisheries next year.

Additional public meetings will be held in early 2020, with recommendations possibly being offered to both Oregon and Washington commissions in spring 2020.

Information and materials from previous meetings are available on the joint policy review committee webpage.

Six options were offered concerning efforts to liberalize daily limits on bass, walleye, and channel catfish in waters throughout the state that are home to anadromous fish runs. House Bill 1579 directed the WDFW to implement changes that could benefit Southern Resident Orcas by allowing more retention of warm water species that prey on young salmon.

The following daily limits were adopted for 77 lakes across Washington state.

• Largemouth bass: Change from 5 to a 10-fish daily limit; only one fish may be over 17 inches.

• Smallmouth bass: Change from 10 to a 15-fish daily limit; only one fish may be over 14 inches.

• Channel catfish: Change from a 5 to a 10-fish daily limit.

• Walleye: Change from 8 to a 16-fish daily limit; only one fish may be over 22 inches.