Great news! A new bill has been introduced to make the razor clam the state clam. House Bill 1984 was pre-filed on December 19th, and is now part of the state legislature’s deliberations. First hearing is with State Government and Tribal Relations Committee. Representatives Joel McEntire (R-19th legislative district), Mike Chapman (D-24th district), and Cindy Ryu (D-32nd district) introduced the bill.
The 6th grade class of teacher Kelli Hughes-Ham, located in Ilwaco on Long Beach peninsula, is taking the lead advocating for this new state symbol.
The Pacific razor clam well deserves the recognition and honor of state clam. Please join the effort by signing the petition on this website and being in touch. Here is a link to the new bill itself.
The razor clam provides food, income and recreational adventure in Washington state. Digging for razor clams is a fun, nature-oriented activity that attracts men, women and children of all ages. In recent years there have been about 400,000 recreational digger trips annually. A lot of folks!
Pacific razor clams are endemic to the Pacific Northwest and especially abundant on Washington’s coastal beaches. They have been part of the culture of coastal Native American tribes from time immemorial.
Washington has a variety of state symbols, such as a state bird, state song, state flower and state amphibian. We also have a state oyster, the native Olympia. One other state in the union has a clam species as a state symbol, Rhode Island with the quahaug, which is designated as the state shell.
In recognition of the razor clams’ significance to Washington’s history, identity and economy, and to further steward and educate, this initiative proposes to recognize the Pacific razor clam, Siliqua patula, as the state clam. See story in the Aberdeen Daily World.
We welcome feedback on our efforts to make the Razor clam the state clam.
A good-sized razor clam just removed from the sand. Photo credit David Berger.