Another Round Of Razor Clam Digs Cancelled On WA Coast

Planned early December razor clam digs on Washington’s Coast were scrubbed today as state managers say marine toxin levels remain above safe levels.

According to WDFW, Nov. 16 readings for domoic acid sat at 62 parts per million at Long Beach, just slightly above early November results; 46 ppm at Twin Harbors, well down from the Nov. 1 peak of 83 ppm; and 44 ppm at both Copalis and Mocrocks, sharply up from the month’s first week.

The cutoff point is 20 ppm.

Three rounds of digs and half of another have now been cancelled since domoic levels spiked in mid-October beginning at Long Beach.

Oregon’s North Coast beaches have also been closed for razor clams due to the same marine toxin.

WDFW coastal shellfish manager Dan Ayres did see some positives in recent trends. Department of Health testing early next month will determine whether clamming reopens for the next scheduled set of digs beginning Dec. 12.

This season had been expected to be a breakout one, thanks to record numbers of razors available. Diggers harvested almost 1.2 million on 80,000 trips in September and early October.