(WDFW) shellfish managers have confirmed razor clam digging reopens at Mocrocks beaches

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers have confirmed razor clam digging reopens at Mocrocks beaches Friday, March 3 followed by opportunities there on March 5 and March 7. This is in addition to Copalis digs on Saturday, March 4, March 6, and March 8.

“Hopefully, the weather will be kind to us for the upcoming six days of harvest on Copalis and Mocrocks only,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “The low tides will not be as deep as previous digs, but there should be plenty of daylight digging opportunity considering how early they occur.”

These confirmed dig dates are in addition to tentatively scheduled dates at Mocrocks and Copalis beaches in March.

This set of digs during evening low tides will proceed after marine toxin results from the Washington Department of Health (WDOH) showed razor clams are safe to eat at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches.

WDOH labs indicate domoic acid levels at Long Beach and Twin Harbors beaches were still slightly above the health guideline levels. WDFW will announce future digging opportunities on those beaches when marine toxin tests show it is safe to do so. WDFW shellfish staff will continue to regularly dig test samples of razor clams to monitor the situation. The DOH requires that two test samples taken around seven days apart must fall under the health guideline level before a beach can reopen for razor clam digging.

Digging is prohibited in razor clam reserves, which are marked by 10-foot poles with signs. The Copalis reserve is located just south of the Ocean City approach.

Under state law, the daily limit is the first 15 clams dug per person regardless of size or condition, and each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.