Washington razor clam digs canceled until December due to marine toxins
Stow away your clam guns, eager diggers: Washington's beaches will remain closed for razor clam digs until December after high levels of a marine toxin were found in the clams on Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Kalaloch and Copalis making them unsafe for consumption.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) initially canceled the upcoming harvest between Oct. 31 and Nov 3 after samples indicated high levels of domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by algae that causes shellfish poisoning.
But further testing has revealed that the toxin is more widespread at Washington beaches, prompting officials to close the beaches for digging for the entirety of the month.
"We know how important these opportunities are to Washington citizens and coastal communities, and were looking to reopen as soon as its safe to do so," said Larry Phillips, WDFWs coastal region director in a news release.
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/seattlenews/article/washington-razor-clam-digs-canceled-marine-toxins-15681949.php