The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announce the razor clam closure has been extended and now includes the entire Oregon coast. Recent razor clam samples indicate the marine biotoxin domoic acid is above the closure limit. Razor clamming is now closed from the Columbia River to the California border. ODA recommends you discard and do not eat any razor clams dug from this area on or since Monday, November of 16th as this is when samples were dug. Mussel, bay clam and crab harvesting remain open along the entire Oregon coast. Coastal scallops are not affected by biotoxin closures when only the adductor muscle is eaten. ODA does not recommend eating whole scallops. Commercial shellfish products remain safe for consumers. Paralytic shellfish toxin and domoic acid toxin are produced by algae and originate in the ocean. 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. For more information call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin hotline at (800) 448-2474, the ODA Food Safety Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.
