MOUNT VERNON — Nine days of razor clam digs began Wednesday at coastal beaches.
The digs were confirmed last week by state Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers.
“This next tide series will have a bit of everything with the last afternoon to evening tides of the season and the beginning of the spring morning digs,” recreational razor clam manager Bryce Blumenthal said in a news release.
“Morning tides usually bring new participants and larger crowds, so we want to remind beachgoers to respect the 25 mph speed limit and only drive on the hard-packed sand near the high tide line to keep diggers safe and avoid disturbing clam beds and snowy plover nests,” Blumenthal said.
Beachgoers are to avoid disturbing nesting snowy plovers — a small bird with gray wings and white breast — by staying out of the dunes and posted areas along the southwest coast.
Leaving leftover food or trash — which attracts predators — on the beach and picnic areas should also be avoided. Keep pets on a leash and stay out of areas clearly marked with posted signs.
Snowy plover nests are nearly invisible, and it is vital to give birds the space to live and thrive during the nesting period, the release states.
Beachgoers should be most vigilant along the southern end on Twin Harbors, known as Midway Beach, and north of Second Avenue in Ocean City to the north ends of Copalis and Long beaches.
The following digs have been scheduled: Friday and Saturday at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis; Sunday and Monday at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks; Tuesday and Wednesday at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Thursday at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks.
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.
No digging is allowed before noon when low tide occurs in the afternoon or evening. Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before low tide.
