The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announce the closure of recreational and commercial mussel harvesting from the mouth of the Yachats River in Lincoln County to the California border. The closure is due to elevated levels of domoic acid and includes mussels on all beaches, rocks, jetties, and bay entrances in this section of the Oregon Coast. Harvesting of mussels remains open from the Columbia River to the Yachats River. Recreational harvesting of bay clams is open along the entire Oregon coast. Meanwhile, all razor clamming remains closed for the entire Oregon coast because of elevated levels of domoic acid.

Coastal scallops are not affected by these closures when only the adductor muscle is eaten. The consumption of whole recreationally harvested scallops is not recommended. Crab and oysters are also not affected by any closure and are safe to eat. Commercial shellfish products remain safe for consumers. Domoic acid is produced by algae and usually originates in the ocean. ODA will continue to test for shellfish toxins weekly, as tides permit. Reopening of an area requires two consecutive tests in the safe range.

For more information, call ODA’s shellfish safety information hotline at (800) 448-2474 or visit the ODA shellfish closures web page at .