EDITOR’S NOTE: Earlier this week ODFW announced “re-opening of Clatsop beaches for razor clamming Oct. 1st – now all beaches to Cascade Head are closed for razor clamming and mussel harvesting due to domoic acid. There must be two tests below the closure limit before re-opening.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announce the closure of razor clam harvesting from the Columbia River south to Cascade Head (just north of Lincoln City). Recent lab results indicate the marine biotoxin domoic acid has exceeded the closure limit.
Razor clam harvesting remains open from Cascade Head to the California border.
Mussel harvesting is closed from the Columbia River to the north side of the Yachats River for elevated levels of the marine biotoxin paralytic shellfish poison. Mussel harvesting remains open from the south side of the Yachats River to the California border.
Recreational bay clam and crab harvesting remain open along the entire Oregon coast. ODA 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 ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules and limits.
For more information call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800) 448-2474, the Food Safety Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA shellfish biotoxin closures webpage.
