Call the Shellfish Biotoxin Hotline before sport harvesting
Toll free: 1-800-448-2474
The Oregon Department of Agriculture's (ODA) shellfish biotoxin hotline is toll free and is updated as soon as shellfish biotoxins reach the closure limit. The hotline is the best source for up-to-date clam, crab, and mussel biotoxin closure information. For information on sport licenses, seasons, rules and limits, please visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Sport shellfish harvesting biotoxin status
This page tells you where you can sport harvest shellfish and crab that is safe to eat. Always check biotoxin openings and closures before collecting
or eating shellfish or crab.
Razor clams
The sport harvest of razor clams is CLOSED from the Washington border to Tillamook Head, south of Seaside, for the annual Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife razor clam conservation closure. The ODFW annual razor clam conservation closure is in effect from July 15 to September 30, each year. This closure is for the Clatsop Beaches only, from the Washington Border to Tillamook Head, including Seaside. The conservation closure allows the clams to spawn, ensuring more clams for future harvests.
The sport harvest of razor clams is CLOSED from the Washington border to Seal Rock (north of Waldport near Beaver Creek) for high levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid.
The sport harvest of razor clams is OPEN from Seal Rock (north of Waldport near Beaver Creek) to the California border.
See the link below for biotoxin results data for mussels and clams. Re-opening beaches for sport harvest after a biotoxin closure requires two samples in a row with toxin results below the closure limit. These samples must be at least one week apart.
Mussels
The sport harvest of mussels is CLOSED from the Coquille River at Bandon to the California border.
The sport harvesting of mussels is OPEN from the Washington border to the Coquille River at Bandon.
Bay clams
The sport harvest of bay clams is OPEN along the entire Oregon Coast from the Washington border to the California border.
Crab
Sport crab harvest: Status map
Sport crab harvesting is OPEN along the entire Oregon coast from the Washington border to the California border.
Always check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) website for season opening and closing dates, rules and licenses for sport harvest of crab. Call the ODFW Newport Office at 541-867-4741.
Always gut the crab and throw away the "butter" (guts) prior to cooking. When whole crab are cooked in liquid, domoic acid may seep into the cooking liquid and then into the meat. Throw away the cooking liquid, and do not use it in other dishes, such as sauces, broths, soups, stews, stocks, roux, dressings, etc. Do not eat the 'butter' (guts) of the crab.
Scallops
Scallops are not being sampled for biotoxins at this time. Do not eat whole scallops because they can contain biotoxins. However, the scallop adductor muscle does not build up biotoxins and may be safe to eat.
Commercial shellfish
Commercial shellfish products remain safe for consumers.
If you think you have become ill from eating shellfish see your doctor and contact your county health department to report your illness.
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