High marine toxin levels have razor clam digs on hold for the foreseeable future.
“No future razor clam dates will be announced until domoic acid levels in razor clams drop below the action level,” said state Department of Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish manager Dan Ayres.
In order to allow for digs, domoic acid levels in razor clams must be below the “action level,” 20 parts per million. The most recent test digs showed levels more than three times that in the Long Beach area, and anywhere from 29 to 46 parts per million at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches.
Just when razor clam beaches will reopen for harvest is unknown.
“Experience with past major domoic acid events with the razor clam fishery, we know that long after the toxin has left the water, razor clams remain very slow to depurate (or loose) domoic acid,” said Ayres. “In some of those events, the season did not open again until the following fall.”
Toxin tests, performed by the state Department of Health, must show domoic acid levels below the action level in two tests that must be spaced 7-10 days apart.
“We also have observed that levels will bounce around some,” said Ayres. “This is a result of which 12 clams are harvested when we are collecting samples. We know from previous studies that individual razor clams do not pick up toxin at the same rate.”
The most current razor clam season information can be found online at https://ift.tt/34CHhTs.
Commercial crab
Domoic acid levels also have the coastal commercial Dungeness crab fishery further delayed through at least Jan. 14.
The action level for Dungeness crab is 30 parts per million. Samples taken Dec. 12 showed numbers well above that off the coast in the Long Beach area.
“A delay will allow (Fish and Wildlife) to continue to conduct more testing to see if domoic acid levels drop prior to announcing the opening of the commercial crab fishery,” said Ayres.
The Link LonkDecember 22, 2020 at 06:30AM
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Razor clam digs, crab season on hold due to high marine toxin levels - The Daily World
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