First razor clam toxin tests look good at most beaches

Razor clams harvested Sept. 18 by the Department of Fish and Wildlife indicate toxin levels are low enough to allow for safe digging on all tested beaches. However, coastal shellfish manager Dan Ayres said that opening dates are still considered tentative until a second round of testing is performed next week.

“This is the first of two rounds of razor clam samples required by the Department of Health before any recreational razor clam opener,” he said. “These samples are all below the action level for domoic acid, paralytic shellfish poison and diarrhetic shellfish poison.” An “action level” is the threshold number for safe digging; for example, if a sample comes up 20 parts per million for domoic acid, those clams are considered unsafe for consumption.

Each beach area tested came in well below threshold numbers, said Ayres. Tests were done on Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks. The highest level of domoic acid sampled came from portions of south Twin Harbors and south Copalis beaches and was only 12 parts per million.

Paralytic shellfish poison was found on all beaches but at numbers half the allowable amount for safe human consumption. The only positive test for diarrhetic shellfish poison came from north Twin Harbors, and the count was less than one microgram per 100 grams, well below the action level of 16 micrograms per 100 grams.

The next test dig is scheduled for Monday, with results expected back by Thursday.

Proposed clam digs through December are:

• Oct. 6, Friday, 7:49 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

• Oct. 7, Saturday, 8:33 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

•· Nov. 2, Thursday, 6:03 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Copalis

• Nov. 3, Friday, 6:47 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Nov. 4, Saturday, 7:31 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

• Nov. 5, Sunday, 7:16 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Dec. 1, Friday, 4:42 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Copalis

• Dec. 2, Saturday, 6:49 p.m.; -1.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Dec. 3, Sunday, 6:15 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

• Dec. 4, Monday, 7:02 p.m.; -1.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks