The WDFW has approved five days of razor clam digs starting on Monday.
The digs were allowed to proceed after state shellfish managers tested the clams for marine toxins, and found them safe to eat.
The beaches will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas, but will reopen on Thursday. There will not be a New Year’s Day dig this year.
Dan Ayers, the coastal shellfish manager for the WDFW noted that the New Year’s tides were not low enough for a dig.
“We also avoided scheduling a dig on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, as we have found that past participation on those days is really light,” said Ayres in a news release. “We are hoping more people will be able to participate by extending the dig further into the next weekend instead.”
The approved digs are for the following beaches, dates and low tides:
— Dec. 23, Monday, 4:35 p.m., -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
— Dec. 26, Thursday, 6:47 p.m., -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 p.m., -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
— Dec. 29, Sunday, 8:43 p.m., -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
When low tide occurs in the evening, no digging is allowed before noon.
A list of proposed digs for Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches through February is available at the WDFW razor clam webpage.
Clammers are reminded that safety is especially important when digging at night. Diggers want to be prepared with good lighting devices and keep an eye on the surf at all times.
