State clam

AN ACT Relating to designating the Pacific razor clam as the 1
state clam; adding a new section to chapter 1.20 RCW; and creating a 2
new section. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the Pacific 5
razor clam, Siliqua patula , is endemic to the Pacific Northwest and 6
is abundant on Washington's sandy coastal beaches. It is an important 7
part of the cultural identity of the state. For thousands of years 8
for coastal indigenous people, and for hundreds of years for their 9
fellow Washingtonians, digging for razor clams has been a 10
subsistence, recreational, and commercial activity that is family 11
centric and enjoyed by all ages. Scientific, sustainable clam 12
management has resulted in safe and bountiful harvests. As a result, 13
razor clamming is a living tradition that attracts hundreds of 14
thousands of people to the seashore every year, providing healthy 15
exercise and outdoor experiences for Washingtonians while bolstering 16
the coastal economy. Armed with clam shovels, tubes, and sometimes 17
using just bare hands, Washingtonians in recent years have harvested 18
as many as 8,000,000 clams annually.19
The streamlined, oblong shell of the Pacific razor clam is golden 20
hued, symmetrical, and especially handsome. The flesh is meaty and 21
S-0913.1
SENATE BILL 5560
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Chapman, Pedersen, Liias, Nobles, Trudeau, and J. Wilson
Read first time 01/28/25. Referred to Committee on State Government,
Tribal Affairs & Elections.
p. 1 SB 5560
makes for premier table fare as a healthy, organic, wild food source. 1
Additionally, unlike other northwest clam species, razor clams are 2
very mobile with a powerful foot, which makes trying to dig them out 3
of the sand a sporting chase. For all these reasons, the Pacific 4
razor clam is an icon of the state worthy of the title of official 5
clam of the state of Washington. 6
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 1.20 RCW 7
to read as follows: 8
The Siliqua patula , more commonly known as the Pacific razor 9
clam, is hereby designated as the official clam of the state of 10
Washington. 11
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p. 2 SB 5560