SOME THINGS CLEAN themselves.
Cats, for example.
But most things need a human touch, or they will become messier and messier.
Washington’s coastal beaches will not clean themselves.
But clean beaches are needed to protect the marine environment.
So, Washington CoastSavers is organizing International Coastal Cleanup, set for Saturday, in which volunteers can help clean beaches from Cape Flattery south to Cape Disappointment.
“There is a real need to keep debris off of our beaches,” CoastSavers coordinator Jon Schmidt said in a press release.
“Plastics are ingested by marine mammals and birds, which leaves them malnourished and at risk of starvation.”
There are a few different ways to participate.
The obvious way is to go to one of the beaches being cleaned, pick stuff up, then put it in a trash bin.
If you are unable to make it to a beach, but want to support the beach cleanup efforts, you can donate money to CoastSavers.
Washington coast cleanup events require the renting of at least 10 big trash bins.
One bin costs approximately $1,000 to rent and dispose of the trash once it’s filled.
Those who want to participate, but aren’t physically able to carry bags filled with trash off the beach can volunteer to serve as at a registration station, where you will assist in registering other volunteers and ensure they fill out the proper paper work and follow protocol.
Visit the CoastSavers website at www.coastsavers.org to find information about how to register, the beaches that will be cleaned, where to camp and other helpful trip-planning ideas.
Return of razor clams
While we’re on the topic of beaches, let’s talk razor clams.
First, razor clammers can expect a great harvest, according to tests conducted over the summer.
“The tests show an even higher density of razor clams on most beaches than last year, when diggers enjoyed a banner season,” state coastal shellfish manager Dan Ayres said in a release.
“That will translate into more days of digging at popular beaches such as Long Beach and Twin Harbors, so long as we don’t have any marine toxin issues.”
The state reports that during the 2012-13 season, diggers harvested 6.1 million razor clams, the highest number in 15 years, and that diggers averaged 14.5 clams per day, just shy of the 15-clam legal limit.
There is news about Kalaloch, but what it means has yet to be determined.
The state reports a minor improvement in the number of razor clams at Kalaloch.
According to the 2013 assessment, the estimated average density of razor clams on Kalaloch is 0.76 clams per square meters (up from 0.66 in 2012).
However, that number is still well below the 17-year average density of 1.44 clams per square meter.
The state and Olympic National Park have yet to come to a decision about whether or not there will be digging at Kalaloch Beach during the 2013-14 season.
So, we’ll see.
The state has already announced an early start to the razor clam season at Twin Harbors Beach, with a five-day dig that begins today.
Twin Harbors Beach extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.
Clam digging will be allowed there between noon and midnight, although Ayres suggests arriving at the beach one to two hours before evening low tide for best results.
Evening low tides during the upcoming dig are as follows:
■ Today: 7:13 p.m.; -0.3 feet.
■ Friday: 7:57 p.m.; -0.5 feet.
■ Saturday: 8:39 p.m.; -0.5 feet.
■ Sunday: 9:21 p.m.; -0.3 feet.
■ Monday: 10:04 p.m.; 0.0 feet.
Don’t forget that you’ll need a 2013-14 fishing license to dig razor clams. A license is required for anyone age 15 or older.
Puget Sound Anglers
The next meeting of the North Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers will be tonight at 6:45 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Sequim (100 S. Blake Ave.)
Cheryl Baumann, manager of North Olympic Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery, and Michael Blanton of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, will be the speakers.
They will discuss the function of Lead Entities in salmon recovery for Washington state, with emphasis on the North Olympic Peninsula current and proposed projects.
For further information, see the Lead Entity website at www.tinyurl.com/pdnLeadEntities.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
