The most recent sampling of razor clams at Long Beach shows their level of domoic acid at 18 parts per million, below the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s “action level” and considered safe for human consumption. This could open the door for the long-awaited reopening of Long Beach to razor clam digging in the near future.

“This could be some potential good news as the most recent results for clams we collected last Thursday showed Long Beach domoic acid levels from all four sample areas below the federal action of 20 ppm,” said Fish and Wildlife Coastal Shellfish Manager Dan Ayres. “We will collect the next sample (March 1) and expect the results late Friday or Monday. If they are all below 20 ppm it will be the second required satisfactory test result and we’ll be able to open during the next tide series. Everyone is hoping for the best.”

The Feb. 12 sample showed a level of 39, but another test dig done Feb. 23 showed the level at 18. This is the lowest reading of the naturally-occurring marine toxin found in Long Beach razor clams since September of last year.

For comparison’s sake, Fish and Wildlife has been reporting steadily declining domoic acid levels at Twin Harbors since the beginning of the year, from an undiggable 25 Jan. 9 to 15 on Feb. 13, which allowed for digging on that beach to open Feb. 23. Copalis and Mocrocks beaches have enjoyed domoic acid levels in the single digits so far this year.

The readings at these beaches bode well for the next round of scheduled digs in March and April.

According to Fish and Wildlife, domoic acid can be fatal to people if consumed in high doses. There is no antidote for domoic acid, which causes a condition called amnesic shellfish poisoning. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramps within 24 hours of ingestion. In severe cases, neurological symptoms develop within 48 hours and include headache, dizziness, confusion, loss of short-term memory, motor weakness, seizures, profuse respiratory secretions, cardiac arrhythmia and coma. The razor clams themselves show no ill-effects of the toxin and absorb it directly into their edible flesh, where it is slow to expel.

The tentative schedule includes Kalaloch, where domoic acid levels have been in the safe zone since May of last year.

March 9, Thursday, 4:28 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Mocrocks

March 10, Friday, 5:13 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Copalis

March 11, Saturday, 5:54 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Mocrocks, Kalaloch

March 12, Sunday, 7:31 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Copalis, Kalaloch

March 24, Friday, 5:01 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Mocrocks

March 25, Saturday, 5:44 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Copalis

March 26, Sunday, 6:24 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Mocrocks

Evening only digs end with the March 26 Mocrocks zero tide. The seasonal switch to morning tides begins with the following dig:

March 30, Thursday, 8:58 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Mocrocks

March 31, Friday, 9:47 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Copalis, Kalaloch

April 1, Saturday, 10:40 a.m., -0.5 feet; Mocrocks, Kalaloch

April 2, Sunday, 11:39 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Copalis

April 13, Thursday, 8:43 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Copalis

April 14, Friday, 9:18 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Mocrocks

April 15, Saturday, 9:55 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Copalis

April 16, Sunday, 10:36 a.m.; 0.5 feet; Mocrocks

April 27, Thursday, 7:55 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Mocrocks

April 28, Friday, 8:42 a.m.; -1.8 feet; Copalis

April 29, Saturday; 9:32 a.m.; -1.7 feet; Mocrocks, Kalaloch

April 30, Sunday, 10:24 a.m.; -1.3 feet; Copalis, Kalaloch