09-09-2008, 11:10 AM
OLYMPIA - Shellfish managers will seek input about the fall razor clam season during a series of public meetings in western Washington this fall.
Biologists for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will also review the 2007-08 season and discuss the findings of the recently completed razor clam stock assessment for the Washington coast.
"These meetings are designed to give people a chance to provide suggestions about the coming season and to learn about the results of our stock assessment," said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.
Ayres said the summer assessment showed that the number of harvestable clams has increased on four of five ocean beaches, which could mean more clam digging opportunities in the 2008-09 season.
"We're looking forward to offering some additional harvest days over last season on most beaches," Ayres said.
The fall season will be set after the public has had a chance to comment, he said.
The public meetings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the following locations:
* Long Beach - Monday, Sept. 15, at the Super 8 Motel, 500 Ocean Beach Blvd.
* Westport - Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Ocosta High School library, 2580 Montesano St.
* Ocean Shores - Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Shilo Inn (Pacific/Rainier Room), 707 Ocean Shores Blvd. N.W.
* Fife - Friday, Sept. 26, 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 who are 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 .
Biologists for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will also review the 2007-08 season and discuss the findings of the recently completed razor clam stock assessment for the Washington coast.
"These meetings are designed to give people a chance to provide suggestions about the coming season and to learn about the results of our stock assessment," said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.
Ayres said the summer assessment showed that the number of harvestable clams has increased on four of five ocean beaches, which could mean more clam digging opportunities in the 2008-09 season.
"We're looking forward to offering some additional harvest days over last season on most beaches," Ayres said.
The fall season will be set after the public has had a chance to comment, he said.
The public meetings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the following locations:
* Long Beach - Monday, Sept. 15, at the Super 8 Motel, 500 Ocean Beach Blvd.
* Westport - Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Ocosta High School library, 2580 Montesano St.
* Ocean Shores - Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Shilo Inn (Pacific/Rainier Room), 707 Ocean Shores Blvd. N.W.
* Fife - Friday, Sept. 26, 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 who are 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 .