State predicts strong razor clam-digging season

Preseason estimates show this could be a good year for digging razor clams along much of Washington’s ocean coast. Because of improved populations, there could be more days for digging this season, and Kalaloch will be open for the first time in three seasons.

Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, offered that assessment at a meeting Sept. 24 in Fife.

“As far as potential number of days we may be digging, there could be as many as 56 days at Twin Harbors,” he said.

Four of the five beaches show populations increases, with just Mocrocks showing a decline.

“The decrease isn’t drastic or dramatic, it’s nothing to get too worried about. It’s going to be fine,” Ayres said.

The first dig is slated to begin Oct. 16 at Twin Harbors, Long Beach and Copalis. Mocrocks and Kalaloch Beach will open Oct. 17. (See chart of openings, page C4)

“We are expecting to start around the third weekend in October and may offer some digging around the New Year’s holiday,” he said.

Toxin levels: While domoic acid tests done in January show levels are well below where the state would have to close a beach, Ayres said the state is monitoring levels of paralytic shellfish poison toxins at Long Beach.

Oregon announced Sept. 21 it was closing its entire coast to recreational clam and shellfish harvesting because PSP levels were too high.

Ayres said PSP levels at Long Beach, the state’s southernmost beach area, have been on the rise since August but remain below the state’s standard where a closure would take place. The latest reading showed levels at 62 micrograms per 100 grams, while the closure level is 80.

“We are concerned about that,” Ayres said. “We have seen fall PSP events before. They typically start in Oregon and move north.”

He said the state was to collect another sample Monday morning for PSP testing.

Last season: People harvested 3.2 million clams. Based on 249,000 digger trips, that averaged out to 12.9 clams per digger trip. In 2007-08, diggers harvested 3 millions clams on 242,000 trips for an average of 12.5 clams per trip.

Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640

jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com

blogs.thenewstribune.com/adventure

Fans of digging for razor clams on the beaches at Kalaloch will have to wipe the dust off their shovels and tubes. Based on preseason population estimates, the National Park Service expects to open the Kalaloch area for digging this season.

The Park Service manages the beaches, with assistance from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Kalaloch beaches have been closed the last two razor clam seasons because populations dropped dramatically in 2008 and did not rebound enough last season to justify a season.

The annual stock assessment in August showed that the beach has approximately 3.5 million adult clams, with an average size of about 4 inches, said Dan Ayres, state coastal shellfish manager. There also are numerous small juvenile clams as well, suggesting a strong reproductive season this summer.

Kalaloch beaches are expected to be open for digging this season, beginning Oct. 17, pending satisfactory toxin testing results. Dig dates for October and November will be announced soon.

Kalaloch was last opened for razor clam harvest in spring 2007. Low population numbers in late 2007 and 2008 prevented harvest since then.

Park biologists believe that the decline was due to the shellfish disease nuclear inclusion X, or NIX. This disease, unique to razor clams, is a naturally occurring bacterium that destroys the clam’s gill function. While harmless to humans, high levels of NIX can be fatal to razor clams.

The state and National Park Service will have a meeting on Kalaloch clam digging from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the state Department of Natural Resources Building conference room, 411 Tillicum Lane, Forks.

Outlook for razor clam beaches

Long Beach

2009-10 allowable catch: 1.68 million clams. The total allowable catch is 30 percent of the number of clams big enough to harvest.

Average size: 4 inches

2008-09 harvest: 1.03 million, with 97.9 percent of the clams available taken.

Potential harvest days: 36

Outlook: A strong rebound in total numbers means the number of potential digging days has nearly doubled, from 19 last season to 36. The total allowable catch is expected to be nearly 60 percent higher this season compared to last year. The highest number of clams are north of Ocean Park and Oysterville.

Twin Harbors

2009-10 allowable catch: 1.18 million clams. The total allowable catch is 30 percent of the number of clams big enough to harvest.

Average size: 4 inches

2008-09 harvest: 1.03 million, with 97.9 percent of the clams available taken.

Potential harvest days: 36

Outlook: The state’s portion for this beach is nearly double what it was last season. The numbers are highest around the county line and Grayland beach area.

Copalis

2009-10 allowable catch (state’s share): 1.02 million clams. The state’s share is 50 percent of the total allowable catch.

Average size: 4.7 inches

2008-09 harvest: 963,497, with 99.5 percent of the clams available taken.

Potential harvest days: 25

Outlook: The slight increase in numbers means the potential harvest days have risen from 20 to 25 this season. Populations are largest around Ocean City and just south of Copalis. Ayres noted there was a lack of juvenile clams, similar to the situation at Mocrocks.

Mocrocks

2009-10 allowable catch (state’s share): 629,631 clams. The state’s share is 50 percent of the total allowable catch.

Average size: 4.7 inches

2008-09 harvest: 656,309, with 93.5 percent of the clams available taken.

Potential harvest days: 24

Outlook: This is the one beach where numbers are down. The total population is down 10.2 percent from last season, but right at the average for the last seven seasons. Ayres noted there are a lot of large clams, but the number of mid-size clams is down dramatically. “It’s not going to be a problem this year, but it could be a problem down the road,” Ayres said. “People will find big clams this year, which makes them happy. We’ll be watching it, but there’s no panic alarm or anything.” The Roosevelt Beach area has the highest number of clams.

KALALOCH

2009-10 allowable catch (state’s share): 448,597 clams. The state’s share is 50 percent of the total allowable catch.

Average size: 4.1 inches

2008-09 harvest: Beaches have been closed the last two seasons.

Potential harvest days: N/A

Outlook: Ayres said the department is working with Olympic National Park to determine the number of days for digging. Total population has risen from 271,868 in 2007-08 to more than 3.53 million this season. The best populations are north of the campground.

Jeffrey P. Mayor, The News Tribune