Razor clamming remains closed

Jan. 18, 2023 - The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) reopened all recreational crabbing (ocean, bays, and estuaries) north of Bandon along the Oregon coast. Two consecutive tests show domoic acid levels are under the closure threshold.

Recreational bay clam and mussel harvesting is also open along the Oregon coast north of Bandon. However, razor clamming is still closed coastwide.

ODA tests 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.

On Jan. 5 the agencies opened crabbing along the entire coast but the very next day ODFW announced that ODA received additional test results showing domoic acid levels in crab sampled from Bandon south to the California border are above the closure threshold.

It is recommended that recreational crab harvesters always eviscerate crab before cooking. This includes removing and discarding the viscera, internal organs, and gills.

For more information, call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800)448-2474, the Food Safety Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA shellfish biotoxin closures webpage here: www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/FoodSafety/Shellfish/Pages/ShellfishClosures.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

Go to myodfw.com/crabbing-clamming for information on recreational license requirements, permits, rules and limits.