OREGON DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE & OREGON DEPT. OF FISH & WILDLIFE Recreational Shellfish Alert 5/26/24: Mussel Closure Extended to Include Entire North Coast

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announce a new shellfish closure today Sunday, May 26, 2024.

The mussel closure has been extended from the central coast to include the entire north coast. Illnesses consistent with paralytic shellfish poisoning have been reported from mussels harvested from the north coast. Mussel harvesting is now closed from the Washington border to Seal Rock State Park.

PSP is a natural marine biotoxin produced by some species of microscopic algae. ODA’s testing showed the PSP level in mussels was rising in the last few weeks, and levels are now beyond the safety threshold.

The mussel closure is not related to the oil event currently happening along the northern Oregon and southern Washington coasts.

Mussel harvesting remains open from Seal Rock State Park to the California border.

Razor clam harvesting is open from the Washington border to Cape Blanco. Razor clam harvesting is closed from Cape Blanco to the California border.

Crab and bay clam harvesting are open along the entire Oregon coast. Oregon Department of Agriculture will continue to test for shellfish toxins twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit. Contact Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for recreational license requirements, permits, rules and limits.

For more information call Oregon Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800) 448-2474, the Food Safety Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA recreational shellfish biotoxin closures webpage.