SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announce a new shellfish opening. Razor clamming is open from the Washington border to Tillamook Head, just south of Seaside. Recent samples show levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid have dropped below the closure limit.

Razor clamming remains closed from Tillamook Head to the California border for elevated levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid.

Recreational crabbing is closed on the southern Oregon coast from Takenitch Creek (8 miles north of Winchester Bay) at N 43° 47’, to Cape Blanco, at N 42° and 50’, for elevated levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid. This includes Dungeness crab and red rock crab harvested from the ocean, in bays and estuaries, and on beaches, docks, piers and jetties.

Recreational crab harvesting is open from the Washington border south to Takenitch Creek (8 miles north of Winchester Bay), and open from Cape Blanco south to the California border. This includes the ocean, bays and estuaries, and on beaches, docks, piers and jetties.

Mussel and bay clam harvesting remain open along the entire Oregon coast. Oregon Department of Agriculture 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. 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 Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA recreational shellfish biotoxin closures webpage.

— ODA