LONG BEACH, Wash. – One ocean beach will open for razor clam digging this week, then reopen along with three other beaches for a dig in February, under a tentative harvest plan announced by shellfish managers.

Under that plan, Twin Harbors Beach, Wash., will be open for evening razor clam digging Friday through Sunday after marine toxin tests showed the clams will be safe to eat. As with previous digs this season, digging is allowed only between noon and midnight.

Twin Harbors stretches from the mouth of Grays Harbor to the mouth of Willapa Bay.

“This month’s opening is specifically designed to give diggers an opportunity to take advantage of the large number of clams still available at Twin Harbors,” said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.”At most other beaches, we’re trying to conserve clams so there will still be some available for digs this spring.”

Four beaches, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Wash., and Kalaloch, will be open for digging Feb. 16 and 17 between noon and midnight if marine toxin tests are favorable. Twin Harbors will also remain open an additional day, Feb. 18, during the same hours if the test results allow the dig to proceed as planned.

As with this month’s proposed dig, Copalis Beach will remain closed in February because of the relatively low number of clams available for harvest there.

The best time to start digging at all open beaches is an hour or two before low tide. Evening low tides during digs scheduled this month and next are:

Friday, 6:54 p.m., -0.6 ft., Twin Harbors only

Saturday, 7:34 p.m., -0.6 ft., Twin Harbors only

Sunday, 8:13 p.m., -0.4 ft., Twin Harbors only

Feb. 16, 5:47 p.m., -0.3 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Kalaloch (tentative)

Feb. 17, 6:28 p.m., -0.5 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Kalaloch (tentative)

Feb. 18, 7:08 p.m., -0.3 ft., Twin Harbors only (tentative)

Under WDFW rules, harvesters may take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 taken, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s limit must be kept in a separate container.

A license is required for anyone 15 years old or older. Any 2006 annual shellfish/seaweed, razor clam or combination license is still valid. Licenses can be purchased via the Internet at (https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov), by phone at (866) 246-9453), or in person at more than 600 license vendors throughout the state. A list of vendors can be found at (http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/vendors/vendors.htm)