IT’S SLOW GROWING for the razor clam population at Kalaloch.
After news of huge populations of pre-recruit razor clams (3 inches or less) were found during beach studies last summer, hopes were raised for a potential fall opening on the North Olympic Peninsula’s razor clam beach.
But those pre-recruits didn’t weather the winter weather well, as their large numbers likely contributed to high competition for nutritional food sources.
So once again, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympic National Park and tribal co-managers did not include a Kalaloch opening in their tenative preseason razor clam schedule.
No digs have been held at Kalaloch since a three-day opening during the 2011-12 season.
Now, the razor clam population is going around in a bit of a circle.
Plenty of clams, but not of a size to write home about.
Fish and Wildlife’s 2016-17 Razor Clam Management Assessment says Kalaloch’s population of 5.7 million clams is the largest population of recruits measured on this beach since 2001.
“The few recruit clams we found at Kalaloch in July 2016 have an average size of just 3.4 inches,” the assessment said.
“It is also clear that these are almost all the survivors from the huge set of juveniles we observed in our 2015 assessment. If this beach is opened for digging during the 2016-17 season, diggers will find an abundance of clams, but they will be small — maybe a little larger than what we observed during our work in July — but very likely smaller than 4 inches.”
Fish and Wildlife wants to know if clam harvesters are interested in having a Kalaloch dig, regardless of the low chance at encountering clams largers than 4 inches.
To comment on potential future digs, email razorclams@dfw.wa.gov.
Clamming in October
While that issue is resolved, clammers will have chances at four other Pacific Ocean beaches beginning in mid-October.
Final approval of all scheduled openings will depend on results of marine toxin tests that show the clams are safe to eat, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for Fish and Wildlife.
“We’re releasing a tentative schedule earlier than usual this year to give people plenty of time to make plans to go digging this fall,” Ayres said. “We also invite comments on management options, including dig scheduling, for our spring openings that we plan to announce later this year.”
The tenative schedule is available at tinyurl.com/PDN-FallClams.
Fish and Wildlife estimates the total razor clam population on Washington’s ocean beaches has increased slightly over last year.
“Long Beach has the largest population of razor clams the department has measured in the last 25 years,” Ayres said.
“The population at Twin Harbors also is strong and should provide good digging opportunities this year.”
However, Mocrocks and Copalis show population declines, which will mean fewer digging days on those beaches this year.
The first proposed razor clam dig, along with evening low tides and beaches, is listed below:
• Friday, Oct. 14: 5:55 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks.
• Saturday, Oct. 15: 6:42 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks.
• Sunday, Oct. 16: 7:28 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Monday, Oct. 17: 8:16 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Tuesday, Oct. 18: 9:04 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Wednesday, Oct. 19: 9:55 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Thursday, Oct. 20: 10:50 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach
• Friday, Oct. 21: 11:50 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach
Recent testing indicates levels of domoic acid on all of Washington’s ocean beaches are well within state public health standards.
Toxin testing is performed within 10 days of a planned razor clam dig. Fish and Wildlife typically announces whether the dig will go forward about a week before the opening.
Anglers to meet tonight
Bill Roberds, a self-described aquatic recreationalist, will be the guest speaker at tonight’s meeting of the North Olympic Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers.
The meeting is set for Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave. in Sequim, with a social half-hour and raffle item viewing at 6:30 p.m.. and a short business meeting at 7 p.m. followed by Roberds’ talk.
A raffle for fishing gear and a $50 membership drawing will be held.
Roberds will discuss the habitat available in the Salish Sea, an area that includes the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia in Canada, and the sea life inhabiting our nearshore waters.
A scuba diver and underwater video photographer for 12 years, Roberds will share a film he developed on the underwater world of Ediz Hook. The film was used to inform the Navy of critical habitat adjacent to their planned pier installation along the Hook.
He also will show underwater footage of the famed Tongue Point wreck near Salt Creek County Park.
That’s the wreck that wary anglers give a wide berth when fishing Freshwater Bay.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com
Mark Thompson, right, of Port Angeles, poses with the winning 32.4-pound king caught during the Restoring the Rogue Salmon Derby held last month on the Rogue River near Grants Pass, Ore. At far left is Thompson’s teammate, high school classmate and fellow Marine, Carl Cole, and their guide Matt Judkins.
