OUTDOORS: Razor clam digs closed until at least mid-November

OLYMPIA — Washington’s ocean beaches will remain closed to razor clam harvest through at least Nov. 12 after test results on razor clams dug at Long Beach indicate levels of domoic acid that exceed the threshold (20 parts per million) set by state public health officials for safe consumption.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife managers canceled digs previously anticipated for Oct. 31-Nov. 3 and await additional test results prior to announcing whether digs tentatively scheduled for Nov. 13-19 and beyond can move forward.

WDFW has already seen significantly higher than normal participation on recent digs. To avoid concentrating clam diggers and disproportionately increasing the risk of COVID-19, razor clam beaches are closed statewide — though only Long Beach clams have exceeded safe concentrations of domoic acid levels so far.

“We know how important these opportunities are to Washington citizens and coastal communities, and we’re looking to reopen as soon as it’s safe to do so,” said Larry Phillips, WDFW’s coastal region director. “Yet, we also know that these toxins have a tendency to hang on — it’s not inconceivable that we’ll have to wait until December before we’re clamming again.

“Fortunately, we planned well, consulted communities and opened earlier in September,” said Phillips. “What that means is razor clam diggers have already made more than 80,000 trips and harvested nearly 1.2 million clams this year.”

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

Tentative digs

WDFW razor clam managers previously announced tentative digs through December. Final approval of tentatively scheduled openings depends on results of marine toxin tests conducted by the state’s Department of Health.

Public health officials will also be closely monitoring COVID-19 infection rates throughout the digging season, and WDFW may make in-season adjustments to the schedule, if necessary.

The tentative razor clam digs through December, along with low tides and beaches, include:

P.M. tides