ODA release – The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Willdlife (ODFW) announce the opening of razor clam harvesting from the Umpqua River to Cape Blanco. Recent shellfish samples taken from the area indicate levels of the marine biotoxin domoic have risen above the alert level. Razor clamming is now open from Tillamook Head to Cape Blanco. The annual ODFW razor clam conservational closure is in effect until March 1, 2019 at the earliest. This closure extends from the Columbia River south to Tillamook Head. This conservational closure is not related to marine biotoxins. This conservational closure does not affect razor clam populations south of Tillamook Head. The conservational closure is to conserve razor clam populations on the Clatsop Beaches during spawning. For more information please contact ODFW at 541-867-4741. ODA will continue to test for shellfish toxins twice per month, 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, 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
