OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can return to Mocrocks and Copalis beaches for a three-day dig beginning March 18, state shellfish managers said today.
 
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the opening at Mocrocks and Copalis after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.
 
The dig, which is on evening tides, will coincide with the annual Ocean Shores razor clam festival, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.
 
The upcoming dig is scheduled on the following beaches, dates and low tides:
 
• March 18, Friday, 4:15 p.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• March 19, Saturday, 5:07 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• March 20, Sunday, 5:50 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
 
Last month, state shellfish managers approved a razor clam dig that runs through March 31 at Long Beach. Although Long Beach is open daily, optimal digging conditions occur when the low tide is one foot or lower, Ayres said.
 
Ayres advises diggers at Long Beach to check WDFW’s webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html for a list of low tides in March.
 
WDFW also has proposed another dig on morning tides at Mocrocks in March, if marine toxin tests are favorable. That dig is tentatively scheduled on the following dates and low tides:
 
• March 25, Friday, 8:31 a.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks
• March 26, Saturday, 9:06 a.m.; 0.6 feet; Mocrocks
• March 27, Sunday, 9:42 a.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks
 
WDFW will make a final announcement on the opening at Mocrocks about a week before the dig is scheduled to begin.
 
Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.
 
All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2015-16 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW's website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov  and from license vendors around the state.
 
WDFW has razor clam recipes as well as advice on digging and cleaning clams on its webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/.
 
Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email (dolores.noyes@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/reasonable_request.html.