Peninsula Daily News
OLYMPIA — Shellfish managers with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced 42 tentative days of razor clam digs at four coastal beaches from Oct. 3 through Dec. 31.
Kalaloch beach off the northern Olympic Peninsula coast won’t be open due to continuing issues with depressed populations of harvestable clams.
“The 2024-25 recreational razor clam season will see similar digging opportunity to last season as long as marine toxin levels remain below closure levels,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a coastal shellfish biologist.
“Razor clam populations on southern coastal beaches continue to be strong and healthy enough for abundant fall digging with harvestable low tides this season falling on Thanksgiving weekend, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day [not yet announced, 2025 dates will be released as the season progresses].”
All beach openings are dependent on final approval of marine toxin testing, which usually occurs about a week or less prior to the start of each digging series. The state Department of Health requires two test samples taken seven to 10 days apart, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach opens for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.
The daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition.
Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide. Below are the tentative dates for October, along with low tides and beaches.
• Oct. 3, 7:38 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Oct. 4, 8:10 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Oct. 5, 8:44 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Oct. 6, 9:20 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Oct. 7, 10:02 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Oct. 15, 5:31 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Oct. 16,6:18 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Oct. 17, 7:03 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Oct. 18, 7:49 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Oct. 19, 8:35 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Oct. 20, 9:24 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.• Oct. 21, 10:16 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/PDN-RazorsFall24.
