All razor and bay clam harvesting was closed coastwide in Oregon on June 6, the state’s Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced.
The closure was due to historic high levels of the marine biotoxin Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) are elevated in both razor and bay clams along the entire Oregon coast.
PSP is a natural marine biotoxin produced by some species of microscopic algae. PSP levels have been increasing, leading to multiple closures in several shellfish species since May 23, according to the ODFW.
As of June 6, Oregon’s agriculture department has closed the following commercial fisheries:
- Tillamook Bay: oysters.
- Netarts Bay: oysters.
- Umpqua bay: oysters.
- Coastwide: razor clams and bay clams.
The Department of Agriculture has said that it would continue testing for shellfish toxins at least twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit.
More information is available via the ODA’s shellfish biotoxin hotline, (800) 448-2474, the ODA Food Safety Program at (503) 986-4720, or by visiting the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures webpage, https://tinyurl.com/tan24a9n.