Submitted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
The first October 2018 recreational razor clam opener remains tentative as the marine toxin tests are completed. Those tentative opening dates are;
- Oct. 11, Thursday, 8:58 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
- Oct. 12, Friday, 9:41 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
- Oct. 13, Saturday, 10:26 p.m.; +0.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
The following are the results from the first round of tests. The details with the tentative dates through December that were previously announced can be found at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html
MARINE TOXIN UPDATE:
Listed below are the most recent marine toxin levels, as announced by the Washington Department of Health (WDOH) on September 28, 2018. This is the FIRST of two rounds of razor clam samples required by WDOH before any recreational razor clam opener. As you can see, these samples are all below the action level for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) from Domoic Acid, Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) and Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison (DSP). The second and final round of sampling is scheduled for Thursday October 4 with results by Monday October 8.
Recall, before a beach can be opened for the harvest of razor clams, WDOH protocol requires that all razor clam samples collected from that beach must test under the action level (20 ppm for domoic acid; 80 µg/100g for PSP; and 16 µg/100g for DSP) on both of the two required sample collections.
Note that in all of these samples; only razor clam meat tissue is tested.
These samples were all collected on 9/26/18.
9/26/18; Long Beach Area E (north):
- domoic acid = 1 ppm
- PSP = none detected
- DSP = none detected
9/27/18; Twin Harbors Area CL (middle):
- domoic acid = 1 ppm
- PSP = none detected
- DSP = none detected
9/27/18; Copalis Area XL (middle)
- domoic acid = 1 ppm
- PSP = none detected
- DSP = none detected
9/27/18; Mocrocks Area BC (south)
domoic acid = 1 ppm
PSP = none detected
DSP = none detected
For more information on razor clams, including how seasons are set, population sampling techniques and how to dig, clean and cook razor clams please see the following link:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/razorclm/razorclm.htm
