Shellfish

Call the Shellfish Safety Hotline before harvesting​

1-800-448-2474​

The Oregon Department of Agriculture's (ODA) shellfish biotoxin hotline is toll free and is updated immediately when shellfish toxins reach the alert level. The hotline is your best source for up-to-date clam, crab, and mussel closure information. ​

​Recreational shellfish harvesting status

​Razor clams 

NOTE: The annual ODFW Razor Clam Conservation Closure is in effect from July 15 through September 30th. This closure is not related to biotoxins. The CONSERVATION CLOSURE is for the 18 miles of beaches between Astoria and Tillamook Head (south of Seaside). The earliest razor clamming could reopen on these beaches is October 1st. This conservation closure does not apply to beaches south of Tillamook Head. 

The recreational harvest of razor clams is OPEN from Tillamook Head (south of Seaside) to the north jetty of the Umpqua River (at Reedsport) and OPEN from the Coquille River (at Bandon) to the California border. The recreational harvest of razor clams is CLOSED from the south jetty of the Umpqua River (at Reedsport) to the Coquille River (at Bandon) for elevated levels of domoic acid toxin. This includes all beaches and all bays.   

​Mussels 

The recreational harvesting of mussels is OPEN from the Columbia River to the California border. This includes all beaches, bays, rocks, piers, docks, etc. 

Bay clams

The recreational harvest of bay clams is OPEN along the entire Oregon Coast from the Columbia River to the California border.

Crab

​Recreational crab harvest: Status map​

Recreational crab harvesting is OPEN from the Columbia River to the California border. This includes ocean and bay crabbing. 

Always check the ODFW website for season openings, rules and licensing requirements for recreational harvesting and recreational crab seasons. Call the ODFW Newport Office at 541-867-4741.

It is always recommended you eviscerate the crab and discard the "butter" (viscera or guts) prior to cooking. When whole crab are cooked in liquid, domoic acid may leach into the cooking liquid. It is recommended you discard the cooking liquid, and do not use it in other dishes, such as sauces, broths, soups, stews, stocks, roux, dressings, etc. The consumption of crab viscera is not recommended. 

• Recreational seasons and licensing requirements: Visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website​. 
  
• Commercial crabbing information: Visit the Commercial Crab Biotoxin Information​ webpage​. 
  

Scallops

Scallops are not being sampled for biotoxins at this time. Due to potential biotoxins, consuming whole scallops is not recommended. However, the scallop adductor muscle does not accumulate biotoxins and may be safe for consumption. 

Commercial shellfish 

Commercial shellfish products remain safe for consumers. Samples show no biotoxins at this time. 

Biotoxin Data for Oregon Crab Current biotoxin data for crab Biotoxin Data for Oregon Mussels and Clams Current biotoxin data for mussels and clams Oregon Coast softshell clam advisory The Oregon Health Authority has issued an advisory for softshell clams along the entire Oregon Coast because they may contain high levels of naturally occurring arsenic. Softshell clam advisory Oregon recreational shellfish closure map Click the link below to view a map of the Oregon coastline. Areas in green are open and areas in red are closed to recreational shellfish harvesting. Oregon recreational shellfish closure map Shellfish news from ODA ODA news blog with information on recreational shellfish beach closures in the State of Oregon. ODA news blog