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 biotoxins reach the alert level. The hotline is your best source for up-to-date clam, crab, and mussel closure information. For information on recreational licenses, rules and limits, please see the link to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife under Additional Resources at the bottom of this page.
Recreational shellfish harvesting status
Razor clams
NOTE: Due to Covid-19, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has closed recreational clamming and mussel harvesting to non-residents for the entire coast. Call the ODFW Newport office at 541-867-4741 for more information.
The recreational harvest of razor clams is OPEN from Tillamook Head (south of Seaside) to Cape Arago (south of Coos Bay).
The recreational harvest of razor clams is CLOSED from the Columbia River to Tillamook Head (this includes all the Clatsop Beaches) for the annual Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife razor clam conservation closure. This closure is to protect the newly-set young clams. This closure is not because of biotoxins. The ODFW conservation closure starts on July 15th every year and typically ends on September 30 of every year.
The recreational harvest of razor clams is also CLOSED from Cape Arago (south of Coos Bay) to the California border for elevated domoic acid toxin levels. This includes all beaches and all bays.
Mussels
NOTE: Due to Covid-19, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed recreational clamming and mussel harvesting to non-residents for the entire coast.
The recreational harvesting of mussels is OPEN along the entire Oregon coastline, from the Columbia River to the California border.
Bay clams
NOTE: Due to Covid-19, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed recreational clamming and mussel harvesting to non-residents for the entire coast.
The recreational harvest of bay clams is OPEN along the entire Oregon Coast from the Columbia River to the California border.
Crab
NOTE: Due to Covid-19, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has closed recreational crabbing from the Columbia River south to Cape Falcon (between Seaside and Tillamook) to non-residents. ODFW is permitting recreational crabbing for non-residents from Cape Falcon south to the California border. Call the ODFW Newport office for more information at 541-867-4741.
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.
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.
If you think you have become ill from consuming shellfish seek medical assistance and contact your local 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