Additional razor clam digs set for late March, mid-April

N.S. NOKKENTVED, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, March 8, 2002

OLYMPIA -- Get those clam guns ready.

Razor clam diggers will have to at least two more opportunities to use them -- one in late March, the other in mid-April, pending marine toxin test results, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reports.

The openings would give razor clam diggers 11 more days of digging and would use up the remaining recreational razor clam allocation for the year, Fish and Wildlife razor clam biologist Dan Ayres said.

"It's possible we'll still have enough clams left after the next two digs for another opening at some beaches, but that remains to be seen," Ayres said.

The first opening will run from noon March 27 through noon March 31, starting with evening tides during the weekdays, then switching to morning tides on the weekend.

Long Beach will be open all five days. Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks and Kalaloch will be closed for one or more of days on the following schedule:

- March 27: All beaches except Copalis and Kalaloch; p.m. tides only.

- March 28: All beaches except Copalis and Kalaloch; p.m. tides only.

- March 29: All beaches except Kalaloch; p.m. tides only.

- March 30: All beaches; a.m. tides only.

- March 31: Long Beach and Kalaloch; a.m. tides only.

The last scheduled opening of the season is April 12-17, at all five razor clam beaches.

Digging will be restricted to morning tides and will close each day at noon. But to participate in the April opening, diggers will need a 2002-03 license or a two-day license, Ayres said.

Final approval of these openings depend on the results of marine toxin tests by the Washington Department of Health. The results will be posted on the agency's Web site and included on Fish and Wildlife's toll-free Shellfish Hotline at 866-880-5431.

The limit is the first 15 clams taken, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's take must be in a separate container.

N.S. Nokkentved covers the outdoors for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5445 or nnokkent@ olympia.gannett.com.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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