Mussel harvesting opens on the Central Oregon Coast and closes on the South Coast

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announce an opening on the central coast for mussel harvesting and a closure on the south coast for mussel harvesting.

Recent mussel samples indicate the marine biotoxin paralytic shellfish toxin is below the closure limit on the central coast, while recent mussel samples indicate the marine biotoxin paralytic shellfish toxin has risen above the closure limit on our south coast.

Mussel harvesting is now closed from Cape Blanco to the California border. Mussel harvesting is now open from the Washington border to Cape Blanco.

Razor clam harvesting remains closed from the Washington border to Tillamook Head (Seaside) for the annual ODFW conservational closure, and from Cape Blanco to the California border for high levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid.

Recreational bay clam and crab harvesting are 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.

Oregon Department of Agriculture will continue to test for shellfish toxins weekly, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit. Contact Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for recreational license requirements, permits, rules and limits.

For more information call Oregon Department of Agriculture's (ODA) shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800) 448-2474, the Food Safety Shellfish Desk at (503) 986-4726, or visit the ODA recreational shellfish biotoxin closures webpage.