FLORENCE, Ore. — Two Oregon state agencies have announced the reopening of recreational and commercial razor clam harvesting on a section of the central coast.
The Agriculture and Fish and Wildlife departments said Tuesday that clamming is reopening from the south jetty at the mouth of the Siuslaw River at Florence north to Heceta Head. The area has been closed since the end of last August due to elevated levels of a shellfish toxin. Recent shellfish sampling indicates toxin levels have dropped.
Razor clam harvesting remains closed from the California border north to the Siuslaw River due to toxin issues.
All other portions of the coast north of the Siuslaw River remain open for razor clamming.
Shellfish contaminated with the toxin can cause minor to severe illness and even death. Severe poisoning can result in dizziness, headaches, vomiting and diarrhea. Produced by algae, the toxins usually originate in the ocean. They can’t be removed by cooking.
