Crabbing or razor clam openings?

[salmon]

Just wondering what the latest news is about this?

[Stein]

Long story short - WDFW will only open if every beach is safe and they aren't.  Even if they were all safe, the governor may keep them closed for COVID reasons.

So, I wouldn't load the shovel and waders in the truck quite yet.

Here are the toxin reports, for sure, nothing will happen until they are all in the green.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/basics/domoic-acid/levels

[Jake Dogfish]

I read they just tested crab on the 28th and they were still too high.  The commercial crab season has been delayed the longest ever.  WDFW is talking about opening it under a “evisceration order” where they will only sell cleaned crab.
Clams should be tested by mid month.  Highly doubtful a opener will happen anytime soon.

[WSU]

I had big plans this year to do some winter crabbing along with the typical razor clamming.  Too bad we won't get a window before the commercials go in.

[trophyhunt]

Hmm, something smells of covid......

[NRA4LIFE]

WDFW has posted no new acid levels for over 3 weeks now for the beaches.  Just a guess on my part, but that doesn't sound good.

[NRA4LIFE]

Finally an update at least.  No data posted yet on levels.  This probably is not good.

"UPDATE February 2, 2021: WDFW is continuing to sample razor clams on a regular basis and will announce razor clam harvest dates when domoic acid levels drop on all beaches and the Washington Department of Health determines the clams are safe to eat. This message will be updated when more information is available."

[GASoline71]

This isn't the first time that Domoic Acid levels and PSP have been high for almost an entire clamming season.  Covid or no Covid... you don't want to eat tainted clams or crabs.

Gary

[Limhangerslayer]

There’s a bloom on the outside, but not inside willapa where it’s warmer and more stagnant.  Weird!

[WSU]

There’s a bloom on the outside, but not inside willapa where it’s warmer and more stagnant.  Weird!

Too many commercial shellfish interests inside Willapa for there to be problems. 

[Stein]

This isn't the first time that Domoic Acid levels and PSP have been high for almost an entire clamming season.  Covid or no Covid... you don't want to eat tainted clams or crabs.

Gary

Yeah, if history is an indicator, it could be around for much longer than any of us want to think about.

[trophyhunt]

This isn't the first time that Domoic Acid levels and PSP have been high for almost an entire clamming season.  Covid or no Covid... you don't want to eat tainted clams or crabs.

Gary

Yeah, if history is an indicator, it could be around for much longer than any of us want to think about.

I know my memory is bad but at 51 I don't ever recall closures this long due to acid levels. 

[Skyvalhunter]

51 and your memory is bad?

[Stein]

Since 1991, when the toxin was first detected on the Pacific Coast, outbreaks of domoic acid have prompted the cancellation of three entire razor-clam seasons in Washington — the last one in 2002-03. Twin Harbors Beach never opened in 2015-2016. The entire coast was also closed in late May of 2015 when domoic acid spiked well above the cut-off threshold.

http://www.theoutdoorline.com/blog/post/2021/01/18/hope-possibly-on-the-horizon-for-coastal-razor-clams-and-best-fishing-choices-are-east-of-the-cascades-for-big-trout-and-kokanee.aspx

WDFW has stated they will either open all of them or none of them during COVID, so it could be even worse than in the past when some were opened while others were still dangerous.

As it sits, three entire seasons have been cancelled due to red tide and Twin Harbors was over the safe limit for 2 years....

[trophyhunt]

51 and your memory is bad?

BAD!  Too many coors lights, must be the aluminum !!