North Oregon coast reopened to mussels & bay clams, south coast closed to mussel harvesting, July 20

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have reopened the north coast to recreational harvesting of mussels and bay clams, from the Columbia River to Tillamook Head. Shellfish samples taken from the area indicate levels of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) have dropped below the alert level. Meanwhile, recreational and commercial mussel harvesting is being closed from Cape Arago on the south coast, south of Coos Bay, to the California border because of elevated levels of PSTs. The closure includes mussels on all beaches, rocks, jetties, and bay entrances in this section of the coast. This means recreational harvesting of mussels and bay clams is open from the Columbia River to Cape Arago. All razor clamming remains closed for the entire Oregon coast because of elevated levels of the marine toxin domoic acid. Coastal scallops are not affected by either closure when only the adductor muscle is eaten. The consumption of whole recreationally harvested scallops is not recommended. Crab and oysters are also not affected by any closure and are safe to eat. Commercial oyster faming remains open on the entire Oregon coast. PST and domoic acid are produced by algae and usually originate in the ocean. ODA will continue to test for shellfish toxins weekly, as tides permit. Reopening of an area requires two consecutive tests in the safe range. For more information, call ODA’s shellfish safety information hotline at (800) 448-2474 or visit the ODA shellfish closures web page at <http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/FoodSafety/Shellfish/Pages/ShellfishClosures.aspx>.