Clatsop beaches razor clamming reopened along with south coast mussel harvesting, Dec. 22

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announce the reopening of all razor clam harvesting along Clatsop beaches on the north Oregon Coast from the Columbia River to Tillamook Head, south of Seaside. Samples taken from the area indicate levels of the marine toxin domoic acid have remained below the alert level for the second consecutive sampling period. Razor clam harvesting remains closed due to elevated domoic acid levels from Tillamook Head south to the California border. Meanwhile, mussel harvesting has been reopened from the Yachats River on the central Oregon Coast to the California border as domoic acid levels have dropped below the alert level. This means the entire Oregon Coast is now open to all mussel harvesting. Despite the recent closure, shellfish products sold in retail markets and restaurants are safe for consumers. 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>.