Razor clamming now open from Columbia River to Cape Arago, June 1

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announce the opening of the south-central coast beaches for recreational razor clamming. Recent razor clam samples indicate the marine biotoxin domoic acid has dropped below the closure limit. Razor clamming is now open from the Columbia River to Cape Arago (south of Coos Bay). Razor clamming remains closed from Cape Arago to the California border for elevated levels of domoic acid toxin. Recreational mussel, bay clam and crab harvesting is open along the entire Oregon coastline. ODA will continue to test for shellfsh toxins twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area requires two consecutive tests with results below the limit. Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules and limits. For more information, call ODA’s shellfish safety information hotline at (800) 448-2474, the Food Safety Division at (503) 986-4720 or visit the ODA shellfish closures Web page at http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/FoodSafety/Shellfish/Pages/ShellfishClosures.aspx