since July 3, 2004.Last weekend, Washingtonians were treated to three days of seafood-sand bliss, otherwise known as clam digging.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife approved digging on three Washington beaches: Long Beach (Columbia River to Leadbetter Point), Twin Harbors (Willapa Bay to Grays Harbor), and Mocrocks (Copalis River to Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach, and Moclips). Digging was only permitted at Mocrocks on Jan. 18 and 19, while Long Beach and Twin Harbors were opened Jan 18, 19 and 20.
Copalis Beach and Kalaloch remained closed due to 'domoic concentrations' (toxins) in the clams, which were above the FDA guidelines for safe human consumption, WDFW reported.
That didn't stop an abundance of clam-happy diggers from roaming the other beaches in search of clams. Some were very successful and acquired their limit of 15 clams in no time, while others spent hours - and returned soaked - with just a handful to show for.
But harvesting clams is a feat that all ages can enjoy. Whitney Bolibol, 7, Lacey, says she likes to come clam digging because "we get to play squirt gun (with the clams)." Her younger brother, Jordan, 4, however, thought the sand was "disgusting."
The tides last weekend were afternoon and evening times, typical of winter digs, said Dan Ayres of WDFW. This spring, some morning tides may be offered.
For more information, contact Ayres at 360-249-4628 or visit http://wdfw.wa.gov.
Copyright © 2004, Talia M. Wilson
published in Cooper Point Journal, Jan. 22, 2004
since July 3, 2004.