Razor clam fritters to help ring in the new year? That’s a possibility with coastal razor clam digs set to run Tuesday through Friday, Dec. 29, at various ocean beaches.
“This will be the last opportunity to dig razor clams before the New Year’s festivities and college football watch parties,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a state Department of Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish biologist.
That’s a not-so-subtle reference to the College Football Playoff semifinal Sugar Bowl matchup between Texas and Washington on Jan. 1.
Not all beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. Optimal digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.
The following digs during afternoon and evening low tides (noon to midnight only) will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the state Department of Health (DOH) showed razor clams are safe to eat:
• Tuesday, 6:18 p.m.: -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Wednesday, 6:57 p.m.: -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Thursday, 7:35 p.m.: -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Friday, Dec. 29: 8:11 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
The DOH requires test samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging.
Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Final approval usually occurs about a week or less — sometimes two to three days — before the start of each digging series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on Fish and Wildlife’s domoic acid website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/basics/domoic-acid/levels.
Additional tentative dates are Jan. 9-15 and Jan. 22-28.
Guides wanted
Fishing guides willing to serve on an ad hoc fishing guide advisory committee are sought by Fish and Wildlife.
The committee will provide input to department staff on industry regulations, compliance and enforcement.
Committee members must be an active or recently retired fishing guide or own a fishing guide business in Washington.
Additionally, committee members must be able to commit to attending quarterly meetings on Feb. 21, April 10, June 19 and Sept. 17 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Advisors will be selected based on their fishery experience, willingness to engage in the management process, geographic and diverse affiliation representation and their ability to communicate with fishery managers and other organizations.
Interested individuals may apply by submitting a letter of interest to Raquel Crosier via email at Raquel.Crosier@dfw.wa.gov by Dec. 31 with the following information: candidate’s name, address, telephone number and email; relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a committee member; demonstrated commitment to respectful and productive dialogue and an ability to work with those with differing perspectives.
First Day Hike
New Year’s Day is the first free day of the year for Washington State Parks. No Discover Pass is required for admission to state parks.
Fort Townsend State Park will offer an interpretive talk about the history of the former Army site in “From Fort to Forest: Discover the Transformation of Fort Townsend.”
A short 0.5-mile hike through the tall timber of the park’s forest will begin at 10 a.m.
For more information on first day hikes in state parks, visit http://tinyurl.com/PDN-FortHike24.
To register for the hike, email Kelsey.Lang@parks.wa.gov.
