State shellfish managers have tentatively scheduled additional alternating razor clam digs starting April 13 for Copalis and Mocrocks in the North Beach area that now will be conducted on morning tides through the end of the season.
The planned digs depend on the results of marine toxin tests, which generally take place about a week before the dig is scheduled.
The proposed razor clam digs, along with morning low tides and beaches, are listed below:
April 13, Thursday, 8:43 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
April 14, Friday, 9:18 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
April 15, Saturday, 9:55 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
April 16, Sunday, 10:36 a.m., 0.5 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Long Beach remains closed to digging. However, the beach could open soon if the next round of toxin testing shows the clams there are safe to eat.
Under state law, diggers at open beaches can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2017-18 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.
During all upcoming digs, state wildlife managers urge clam diggers to avoid disturbing snowy plovers and streaked horned larks. Both species nest in the soft, dry sand on the southern section of Twin Harbors beach and at Leadbetter Point on the Long Beach Peninsula. The snowy plover is a small bird with gray wings and a white breast. The lark is a small bird with a pale yellow breast and brown back. Male larks have a black mask, breast band and “horns.”
To protect these birds, the department asks that clam diggers avoid the dunes and areas of the beach with soft, dry sand. When driving to a clam-digging area, diggers should enter the beach only at designated access points and stay on the hard-packed sand near or below the high tide line.
