Outdoors notes: First razor clam digs of season get green light

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved the first nine razor clam digs of the 2021-22 season, with early-morning digs kicking off beginning Friday.

Shellfish managers with WDFW approved the digs after results of marine toxin tests showed clams at all open beaches were safe for human consumption.

The Washington Department of Health (DOH) finalized the results early Monday.

Approved digs are Friday, Sept. 17, through Saturday, Sept. 25.

With strong razor clam populations estimated along much of the coast, all open beaches (Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, and Copalis) have increased limits through the end of 2021, with diggers allowed to keep 20 clams instead of the usual 15.

More information can be found on WDFW’s razor clam webpage at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams.

STEELHEAD DISCUSSION — Members of the Washington and Oregon Fish and Wildlife commissions will meet this week to receive updates on this year’s Columbia River steelhead run and actions taken to protect the run so far.

An online meeting will take place from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday and be held via Zoom webinar; the public can watch at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83566148419. Participants can also call in to the meeting at 253-215-8782 or 888-475-4499, then enter the webinar ID: 835-6614-8419.

No public comment will be taken.