Want to harvest mussels, razor clams on the Oregon Coast? Avoid these areas

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have closed mussel and razor clam harvesting in certain areas of the Oregon Coast due to high levels of paralytic shellfish poison and domoic acid.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – If you’re craving fresh shellfish, you’ll have to avoid these sections of the Oregon Coast until officials say it’s safe to do so.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have closed all mussel and razor clam harvesting for the coastline between the California border to Cape Blanco and Cape Lookout to the Coos Bay north jetty. Razor clamming is currently banned in Yachats to Coos Bay as well.

These areas are closed due to high levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) in mussels and high levels of domoic acid in razors. Both are natural marine biotoxins.

It may be some time before these areas re-open. The ODA tests for shellfish toxins at least twice per month, and reopening an area requires at least two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit. 

However, mussel and razor clam harvests are safe from the Washington border to the Yachats River and the Coos Bay north jetty to Cape Blanco. Bay clams and crab are safe to harvest coast wide.

If you are uncertain whether an area is safe, call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 800-448-2474 or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.