Razor Clamming Opens Along Most of the Coast

Salem-News.com

(NEWPORT) - All beaches south of Tillamook Head will be open to razor clamming effective 12:01 AM Wednesday, Aug. 30th, ending a domoic acid-caused closure along the central coast, state fishery and agricultural officials announced today.

Laboratory tests indicate domoic acid in razor clams collected from beaches south of Tillamook head are within the safe range (below 20 parts per million).

All Oregon beaches are now open to razor clamming except Clatsop beaches (north of Tillamook Head to the Oregon-Washington border) which are normally closed July 15th- Oct. 1st to protect newly set or juvenile clams. Domoic acid levels are still elevated on Clatsop beaches, but the area will be tested prior to reopening Oct. 1st.

Domoic acid is a naturally occurring toxin produced by marine phytoplankton or algae. Shellfish harvesting areas are closed to all harvesting when toxins exceed an alert level of 20 ppm for domoic acid, a level that provides a margin of safety and halts harvest before toxins reach a higher level that may cause illness.

For more information on Oregon 's razor clams, including tips on how to dig razor clams, visit www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams.

For additional information on shellfish toxins please visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture website at www.oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/shellfish_status.shtml or call their shellfish hotline at 1-800-448-2474.