Razor clam digs start Wednesday

Multiple tentative dates scheduled through December

State shellfish managers have scheduled 39 razor clam digs on ocean beaches for dates through December, beginning with morning digs at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis beaches starting Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The first four digs have been approved after marine toxin tests showed the clams were safe to eat.

Sept. 16, Wednesday, 6:17 am, -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Sept. 17, Thursday, 6:58 am, -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Sept. 18, Friday, 7:39 am, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Sept. 19, Saturday, 8:19 am, -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Digging is also contingent upon continued guidance by public health officials monitoring COVID-19 in coastal communities.

“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, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife coastal region director, who notes that the department is being guided by risk assessments by local and state health officials.

Those guidelines include six feet of social distancing, staying home if you’re sick, wearing masks, bring your own protective gear, pack out your trash, purchase licenses ahead of your trip to the beach, and use non-cash payment methods where possible.

“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.”

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

Sept. 20, Sunday, 9:43 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Sept. 21, Monday, 10:37 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Sept. 22, Tuesday, 11:37 pm, -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Oct. 16, Friday, 7:00 pm, -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Oct. 17, Saturday, 7:47 pm, -1.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Oct. 18, Sunday, 8:35 pm, -1.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Oct. 19, Monday, 9:24 pm, -1.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Oct. 20, Tuesday, 10:16 pm, -1.0; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Oct. 21, Wednesday, 11:12 pm, -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Oct. 31, Saturday, 7:26 pm, 0.0; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Nov. 1, Sunday, 6:59 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Nov. 2, Monday, 7:33 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Nov. 3, Tuesday, 8:08 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Nov. 13, Friday, 4:58 pm, -0.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Nov. 14, Saturday, 5:45 pm, -1.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Nov. 15, Sunday, 6:32 pm, -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Nov. 16, Monday, 7:19 pm, -1.8; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Nov. 17, Tuesday, 8:06 pm, -1.6; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Nov. 18, Wednesday, 8:56 pm, -1.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Nov. 19, Thursday, 9:47 pm, -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 1, Tuesday, 7:14 pm, -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 2, Wednesday, 7:51 pm, -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 3, Thursday, 8:30 pm, -0.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 4, Friday, 9:12 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 12, Saturday, 4:44 pm, -0.8; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 13, Sunday, 5:32 pm, -1.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 14, Monday, 6:19 pm, -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 15, Tuesday, 7:05pm, -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 16, Wednesday, 7:50 pm, -1.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 17, Thursday, 8:35 pm, -1.0; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 18, Friday, 9:21 pm, -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 28, Monday, 5:43 pm, -0.2; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 29, Tuesday, 6:20 pm, -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 30, Wednesday, 6:57 pm, -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 31, Thursday, 7:34 pm, -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Public health officials will be closely monitoring new COVID-19 infection rates throughout the digging season and adjustments to the schedule may be made to reduce public health risk in-season.