Minus 1-foot low tides await razor clam diggers when three days of digging begin Friday, including two digs at Long Beach during its annual Razor Clam Festival.
“This is a weekend opening that should not be missed,” said Dan Ayres, State Department of Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish manager. “The Long Beach Razor Clam festival on Saturday features clam digging and chowder contests, clam digging lessons, and live music — even pirates and mermaids making an occasional appearance.”
The state approved the dig on morning low tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.
The upcoming dig is approved on the following beaches, dates, and low tides:
• April 20, Saturday, 7:58 a.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis;
• April 21, Sunday, 8:42 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 22, Monday, 9:25 a.m.; -1.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Beachgoers to take care to avoid nesting snowy plovers.
“With barely 100 of these birds still surviving on the Southwest Washington Coast, it is vitally important for beachgoers to stay out of posted areas,” said Ayres. “Snowy plover nests are nearly invisible, so we want people to give these birds the space they need to live and thrive during their nesting period, especially near Midway Beach and while walking towards the north end of Long Beach.”
Ayres recommends people avoid leaving leftover food or trash on the beach — which attracts predators — avoid the dunes as much as possible, and heed the 25 mph speed limit on the beach.
Ayres noted that based on the remaining number of clams to harvest, this is very likely the last razor clam dig of the season at Long Beach and Copalis beaches.
