Razor clams closed July 15 on Clatsop beaches, July 16

After a great season, razor clamming closed Tuesday, July 15, on the Clatsop beaches of the North Oregon Coast for the annual conservation closure to protect newly-set young clams.  Since 1967 the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed the 18 miles of beaches north of Tillamook Head to razor clam digging, while young clams establish themselves on the beach during the summer.  “We want to ensure that the Clatsop beaches continue to be productive for razor clam harvesters,” said Matt Hunter, ODFW’s Shellfish and Phytoplankton Project Leader. “By not disturbing the young razor clams it increases the chance of survival.”  During the razor clamming harvest closure, ODFW is conducting stock assessments to determine the health of the population, as they have done since 2004 on the Clatsop beaches.  This year the Clatsop beaches had good harvest rates and unusually large clams. The beaches are the most productive razor clam beaches in the state, accounting for more than 90 percent of the total harvest.  Digging for razor clams continues to be open on other state beaches. There are still opportunities to razor clam along the Oregon coast. Cannon Beaches, Cape Meares, Agate Beach, North Jetty, South beach, Bob’s Creek, Bastendorff Beach, North Spit near Coos Bay, Bailey Beach and Myers Creek are some of the most consistent. The beaches with the best opportunity are around Newport. Bay clam harvesting is open coastwide as well. For the latest shellfish safety information call the shellfish safety hotline before harvesting: 1-800-448-2474.