OLYMPIA — Clam diggers have a green light to proceed with a razor clam dig Sunday and Monday at Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Park for the first time since 2012.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife approved the dig on evening tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams at Kalaloch are safe to eat. Digging will not be allowed on any open beach before noon.
The beach hasn’t been open during the past few years for razor clam digging due to a low abundance of clams.
“Diggers can expect to see smaller clams at Kalaloch as compared to other beaches, but we expect most folks will be pleased to have a chance to dig there,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the WDFW.
“We’re looking forward to announcing additional digs at Kalaloch in the coming months,” he said.
Late last year, Ayres said the density of clam populations along Kalaloch Beach was “off the charts.”
The upcoming Kalaloch dig is approved on the following dates and low tides:
• Sunday, 3:11 p.m., 0.4 feet
• Monday, 4:08 p.m., -0.4 feet.
Olympic National Park Superintendent Sara Creachbaum said diggers should be prepared for Kalaloch’s remote location.
“Kalaloch is considerably more isolated than the other clamming beaches and visitors should be prepared for primitive conditions,” she said.
“This year’s digs are scheduled for daylight hours, but people should still be prepared with flashlights or lanterns for any evening or twilight walks,” she said.
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 2016-17 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.
More information about razor clamming and other proposed digs can be found at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/ shellfish/razorclams/current.html.
