Mussel harvesting has reopened along the entire Oregon coast, according to a joint announcement from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The agencies stated that recent tests show levels of paralytic shellfish toxin in mussels have dropped below closure limits on the south coast.
“Mussel harvesting is now open from the Washington border to the California border,” ODA and ODFW said. However, razor clam harvesting remains closed from Cape Blanco to the California border due to high concentrations of domoic acid, a marine biotoxin. Razor clam harvesting continues to be allowed from the Washington border down to Cape Blanco.
Recreational bay clam and crab harvesting are open along all parts of the Oregon coast. Coastal scallops are not subject to biotoxin closures when only the adductor muscle is eaten, but ODA does not recommend eating whole scallops. Commercial shellfish products remain safe for consumers.
The ODA will continue testing for shellfish toxins every two weeks as conditions allow. Reopening an area closed because of biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below closure limits. For information about recreational license requirements, permits, rules, and limits, people should contact ODFW.
For more details or updates, individuals can call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800) 448-2474 or reach out to their Food Safety Shellfish Desk at (503) 986-4726.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture oversees food safety and natural resource protection across the state, including laboratory services for diagnostic testing in animal health and food safety (official website). The department regulates pesticides and supports agricultural exports while working to protect public welfare (official website). Its headquarters are located in Salem, Oregon (official website).
