DIGGING WHILE DISTANCING is the messaging for the fall razor clam season, which begins today with some early morning digs at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis beaches.
Shellfish managers with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife have scheduled 39 razor clam digs on ocean beaches for dates through December.
State shellfish managers also approved the first four days of razor clam digging through Saturday after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.
“Close proximity can accelerate the spread of COVID-19, so we’re asking the public to take steps to thoroughly prepare for their visits to avoid increasing risk,” said Larry Phillips, coastal region director, who notes that the department is being guided by risk assessments by local and state health officials.
Guidance from health officials includes purchasing a shellfish/seaweed license ($17.40 for ages 16-69) or an annual ($14.10) or three-day ($9.70) razor clam license ahead of your trip at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.
They also are asking razor clam diggers to bring non-cash payment methods to reduce contact and to leave no trace, i.e., pack out everything you bring along for the adventure, including garbage.
Underlying health advice also applies such as staying home if feeling sick, practicing social distancing of at least 6 feet, wearing masks and bringing along hand sanitizer.
“Abundant razor clam populations are allowing for numerous digging opportunities this year,” said Coastal Shellfish Manager Dan Ayres. “But, it is important that clam diggers only dig where it is allowed, pay close attention to the variable day openings on Copalis and Mocrocks, prefer weekday digging if possible to avoid crowds, and spread out while digging, especially now.”
Razor clam diggers can find detailed beach maps that indicate locations and local names for beaches on Fish and Wildlife’s razor clam pages at tinyurl.com/PDN-WDFW Razors.
The approved razor clam digs to date, along with low tides and beaches, are listed below:
Morning tides
• Today, 6:17 a.m., -1.0 feet: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• 6:58 a.m., -1.0 feet: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• 7:39 a.m., -0.8 feet: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• 8:19 a.m., -0.3 feet: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
Tenative evening digs
Final approval of tentatively scheduled openings depends on results of marine toxin tests. Digging is also contingent upon continued guidance by public health officials monitoring COVID-19 in coastal communities.
• 9:43 p.m., -0.8 feet: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• 10:37 p.m., -0.8 feet: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• 11:37 p.m., -0.3 feet: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Oct. 16 7 p.m., -0.7: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Oct. 17, 7:47 p.m., -1.3: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Oct. 18, 8:35 p.m., -1.5: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Oct. 19, 9:24 p.m., -1.4: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Oct. 20, 10:16 p.m., -1.0: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Oct. 21, 11:12 p.m., -0.5: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Oct. 31, 7:26 p.m., 0.0: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
November and December
• Nov. 1, 6:59 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Nov. 2, 7:33 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Nov. 3, 8:08 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Nov. 13, 4:58 pm, -0.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Nov. 14, 5:45 pm, -1.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Nov. 15, 6:32 pm, -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Nov. 16, 7:19 pm, -1.8; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Nov. 17, 8:06 pm, -1.6; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Nov. 18, 8:56 pm, -1.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Nov. 19, 9:47 pm, -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 1, 7:14 pm, -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Dec. 2, 7:51 pm, -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 3, 8:30 pm, -0.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Dec. 4, 9:12 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 12, 4:44 pm, -0.8; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 13, 5:32 pm, -1.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Dec. 14, 6:19 pm, -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 15, 7:05pm, -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Dec. 16, 7:50 pm, -1.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 17, 8:35 pm, -1.0; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Dec. 18, 9:21 pm, -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 28, 5:43 pm, -0.2; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Dec. 29, 6:20 pm, -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 30, 6:57 pm, -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Dec. 31, 7:34 pm, -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
