Each year, scores of clammers eagerly hit the intertidal beaches of Washington in search of the meaty, coveted shellfish known as the razor clam.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hopes to hear from those clammers at a series of meetings in western Washington later this month. State shellfish managers will be at the meetings to seek input on the upcoming razor clam season, and biologists will discuss the findings of a recently completed razor clam stock assessment for the Washington coast.

“These meetings are designed to give people a chance to learn about the results of our summer stock assessment and provide suggestions about the coming season,” said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.

In recent years, a dramatic spike in the number of clam diggers, increased marine toxins, tribal harvesting and a devastating clam disease have led to sharp declines in Washington’s razor clam populations. Consequently, clamming seasons that once lasted nine months have been scaled back to as few as 15 days in some places.

But Ayres said the summer assessment showed an increase in the number of harvestable clams on four of five ocean beaches this year, which could mean more clamming opportunities for the 2009-10 season. The fall season will be set after the public has had a chance to comment, he said.

“We’re looking forward to offering some additional harvest days over last season on most beaches,” Ayres said.

The public meetings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the following locations:

• Westport – Monday, Sept. 21, at the Ocosta High School library, 2580 Montesano St.
• Ocean Shores – Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Shilo Inn (Pacific/Rainier Room), 707 Ocean Shores Blvd. N.W.
• Long Beach – Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Super 8 Motel, 500 Ocean Beach Blvd.
• Fife – Thursday, Sept. 24, at Fife High School in the school administration building, 5802 20th St. E. (off Interstate 5).

A fifth meeting to be held in Forks will be announced later.

People unable to attend the public meetings can submit written comments to WDFW through Oct. 5. Mail comments to Dan Ayres, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091, or send an email to Dan Ayres at fishpgm@dfw.wa.gov .

About Deborah Bach

Deborah Bach is the editor and co-founder of Three Sheets Northwest. She is an avid sailor and long-time professional journalist. You can find Deborah aboard Three Sheets, an Island Packet 38, with her husband Marty and their cat Lily.

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