Seven days of razor clam digs set

Razor clam diggers can return to ocean beaches for seven days of digging beginning Thursday.

State shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved a dig on evening low tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.

The approved dig is for the following beaches, dates and low tides:

• February 6, Thursday, 4:40 pm -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• February 7, Friday, 5:26 pm -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• February 8, Saturday, 6:09 pm -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• February 9, Sunday, 6:51 pm -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• February 10, Monday, 7:32 pm -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• February 11, Tuesday, 8:13 pm -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• February 12, Wednesday, 8:55 pm -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

No digging is allowed before noon for allowed digs, when low tide occurs in the evening.

"Work to dodge the rain, and this should be a great dig," said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. "Razor clams do not like fresh water, so heavy rain can make them harder to find, but with a bit of patience and good timing it should still be possible to bag limits of clams given the healthy populations across the beaches."

Additional safety considerations are important this time of year.

"Diggers want to be sure to come prepared with good lighting devices and always keep an eye on the surf, particularly at this time of year when low tides come at dusk and after dark," Ayres said. "Diggers can also start gathering clams an hour or two before the tide, which will allow folks to enjoy daylight for most of their time on the beach."