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 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 

The recreational harvest of razor clams is OPEN from the Columbia River to Tillamook Head (just south of Seaside). 

The recreational harvest of razor clams is CLOSED from Tillamook Head (just south of Seaside) to the California border for elevated domoic acid toxin levels. This includes all beaches and all bays.  

​Mussels 

The recreational harvesting of mussels is OPEN along the entire Oregon coastline, from the Columbia River to the California border. 

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