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7 days of Washington razor clam digs approved

Week begins on Jan. 26; tentative dates scheduled out to March 1

By Columbian news services
Published: January 24, 2025, 10:55am

OLYMPIA — Seven days of razor clam digs on Washington coastal beaches can begin on Sunday, Jan. 26, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers announced.

“Diggers can look forward to another week of razor clamming,” said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW’s recreational razor clam manager. “Success can be spotty this time of year, so don’t be afraid to walk or drive to a different area of beach and remember to stomp and pound the sand to make the clams show.”

On all open beaches, the daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition, to prevent waste.

Also, no digging is allowed before noon during digs when low tide occurs in the afternoon or evening. Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.

The following digs during evening (p.m.) low tides will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the Washington State Department of Health showed razor clams are safe to eat:

  • Jan. 26, Sunday, 4:34 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • Jan. 27, Monday, 5:15 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • Jan. 28, Tuesday, 5:54 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • Jan. 29, Wednesday, 6:31 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • Jan. 30, Thursday, 7:07 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • Jan. 31, Friday, 7:44 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • Feb. 1, Saturday, 8:21 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Tentative dates

Additional dates through March 1 have been schedule, but the DOH requires test samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging.

Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities.

Final approval usually occurs about a week or less before the start of each digging series.

More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.

The tentative dates are:

  • Feb. 8, Saturday, 3:36 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • Feb. 9, Sunday, 4:29 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • Feb. 10, Monday, 5:15 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • Feb. 11, Tuesday, 5:54 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • Feb. 12, Wednesday, 6:29 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • Feb. 13, Thursday, 7:01 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • Feb. 14, Friday, 7:32 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • Feb. 24, Monday, 4:04 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • Feb. 25, Tuesday, 4:46 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • Feb. 26, Wednesday, 5:25 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • Feb. 27, Thursday, 6:03 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • Feb. 28, Friday, 6:39 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • March 1, Saturday, 7:15 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
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