Northwest Reel Life March 2025 Volume 4 Issue 5 - Flipbook - Page 11
DOH requires test samples
for marine toxins, and
domoic acid levels must fall
under the guideline level
before a beach can open
for digging. Domoic acid,
a natural toxin produced
by certain types of marine
algae, can be harmful
or fatal if consumed in
sufficient quantities. Refer
to DOH’s website for more
information at https://doh.
wa.gov/community-andenvironment/shellfish/
recreational-shellfish/
illnesses/biotoxins/
amnesic-shellfishpoisoning. Details about
domoic acid, as well as
current levels at ocean
beaches, can be found
on WDFW’s domoic acid
webpage at https://wdfw.
wa.gov/fishing/basics/
domoic-acid.
On all open beaches, the
daily limit is 15 clams per
person. Each digger’s clams
must be kept in a separate
container, and all diggers
must keep the first 15
clams they dig, regardless
of size or condition, to
prevent waste. With spring
looming on the horizon,
Washingtonians should
consider buying 2025-2026
recreational licenses now
especially if they plan to
dig for razor clams in April.
Licenses can be purchased
from WDFW’s website
at https://wdfw.wa.gov/
licenses/fishing, or from
hundreds of license vendors
around the state. Be sure
to buy your license before
current licenses expire after
March 31. All diggers age
15 or older must have an
applicable fishing license
to harvest razor clams
on any beach. WDFW
recommends buying your
license before visiting
coastal beach communities.
As in past years, WDFW is
asking beachgoers to avoid
disturbing nesting snowy
plovers – a small bird with
gray wings and a white
breast – by staying out
of the dunes and posted
areas along the southwest
coast. Snowy plover nests
are nearly invisible, and it is
vital to give birds the space
to live and thrive during
nesting period, especially
along the southern end on
Twin Harbors – known as
Midway Beach – and the
north end of Long Beach.
Also avoid leaving leftover
food or trash – which
attracts predators – on the
beach and picnic areas,
keep pets on a leash, stay
out of dunes, and avoid
areas which are clearly
marked with posted signs.
Through March 1, WDFW
has provided 72 digging
