Calm seas, clear skies and a crescent moon greeted clam diggers Saturday, Oct. 5, along the Long Beach Peninsula.

OLYMPIA — November will kick off with razor clam digging opportunities on four coastal beaches, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers confirmed today.

“Our first fall storm arrived this past weekend, but that didn’t stop diggers from braving the elements and trying to get a limit,” said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW’s recreational razor clam manager, “Hopefully, the weather gives us a break for this next tide series from Nov. 1-5.”

The Washington Department of Health requires testing of razor clam samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Final approval usually occurs a few days to a week before the start of each dig series. Testing of clam meat from the Long Beach/Ocean Park beach found 3 parts per million of domoic on Oct. 21, far below the safety threshold of 20 ppm. Tests on Twin Harbors beach from the mouth of Willapa Bay to Westport found 4 ppm on Oct. 21.

The following digs during evening (p.m.) low tides will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from DOH showed razor clams are safe to eat:

Nov 1, Friday, 7:15 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Nov 2, Saturday, 7:47 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (switch to standard time)

Nov 3, Sunday, 7:22 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Nov 4, Monday, 8 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Nov 5, Tuesday, 8:42 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks