March 15 Long Beach Peninsula domoic levels

LONG BEACH — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers allowed razor clam digging to resume on the Long Beach Peninsula last week and held out the possibility of more digs starting April 6 if marine toxin levels remain low.

“For the first time this razor clam season, domoic acid toxicity is below closure levels coastwide in Washington,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “We still have plenty of harvestable nice-sized razor clams on all beaches for some equally great digging during the first daylight low tides opportunities of spring.”

Shellfish and seafood enthusiasts can also start making plans to attend the Long Beach Razor Clam Festival on April 8-9. This long-running event celebrates the unique contribution of razor clams to Washington’s culture and coastal communities.

Samples collected between Beards Hollow and Leadbetter Point on March 21 and March 15 all had less than 20 parts per million of domoic acid. See wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/basics/domoic-acid/long-beach for details.

Future tentative digs during morning (a.m.) low tides — which will require purchasing new 2023-24 licenses and additional acceptable domoic levels — are scheduled (digging extended to 1 p.m. on April 12 only):

April 6, Thursday, 7:34 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

April 7, Friday, 8:10 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

April 8, Saturday, 8:48 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (Long Beach Razor Clam Festival)

April 9, Sunday, 9:29 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (Long Beach Razor Clam Festival)

April 10, Monday, 10:15 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

April 11, Tuesday, 11:09 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

April 12, Wednesday, 12:12 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging extended until 1 PM)

April 19, Wednesday, 6:44 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

April 20, Thursday, 7:28 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

April 21, Friday, 8:09 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

April 22, Saturday, 8:50 a.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

April 23, Sunday, 9:31 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

April 24, Monday, 10:14 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

April 25, Tuesday, 11:01 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Not all beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. WDFW will announce digging opportunities via the WDFW razor clam webpage when marine toxin tests show it is safe to do so.

The daily limit is 15 razor clams per person. Under state law, a daily limit consists of the first 15 clams dug regardless of size or condition, and each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container. Digging is prohibited in the razor clam reserves, which are marked by 10-foot poles with signs. The reserves are located just south of the Ocean City approach on Copalis; and 2.8 miles north of the Oysterville approach on Long Beach. The most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. To be notified of in-season rule changes as they are announced sign up for email notifications at wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists.