Washington Clamming Closed, Oregon Open?

[Pitch Pocket]

So the Oregon beaches are all open for razors, but the Washinton beaches are closed because of the dreaded toxins. The only thing that separates Long Beach and Clatsop Spit is about 5 miles or so. Do Oregonians have a higher tolerance for bio-toxins?

[ 10-02-2002, 05:15 PM: Message edited by: SjP ]

[verysweepy]

Thats a good question! Was thinking of going but not to sure with washingtons closure.

[brshooter]

From the ODFW page:

OTHER SHELLFISH: The entire Oregon coast is open to shellfish harvest as of Oct. 1., including Clatsop County beaches north of Tillamook Head, which had been closed to razor clamming. Shellfish harvesters should check for current information about health advisory closures by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture Shellfish Hotline in Salem at (503) 986-4728 or checking www.oda.state.or.us (http://www.oda.state.or.us) under "Warnings & Alerts."

From the above site:

View Warnings, Alerts, Closures and Advisories
Type Recreational Shellfish Closure Status
Start Date 09/27/2002
End Date Until Further Notice
Summary The entire state open to shellfish harvesting after September 30. Commercial and recreational razor clam harvesting allowed on Clatsop Beaches on October 1, 2002.
Contact Deb Cannon
Oregon Dept of Agriculture
Food Safety Division
Shellfish Program
635 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301-2532
(503) 986-4728
dcannon@oda.state.or.us
Click Here for Washington State Biotoxin Information

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 27, 2002… The Oregon Department of Agriculture announces the opening of recreational and commercial razor clam harvesting from Tillamook Head to the Columbia River on October 1.

Test results from all bays and beaches in the state indicate that levels of shellfish associated toxins remain below the alert levels.

Shellfish toxin blooms are produced by algae and usually originate in the ocean. ODA will continue monitoring and testing for shellfish toxins weekly. Reopening of a closed area requires two sets of samples below the toxin alert level.

The entire state is open to shellfish harvesting after Sept 30, 2002. Razor clam harvest is prohibited on Clatsop County beaches from Tillamook Head, north, July 15-September 30, due to an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) conservation closure.

For more information: ODA shellfish hotline 503-986-4728 ODA Food Safety Division 503-986-4720 ODA warnings and alerts online

[Pitch Pocket]

I sent an email to ODA regarding the disparity between the closures of beaches so close together. Below is the reply I received this morning:

Steve

Oregon razor clams were last sampled Sept 23, 2002. The levels for the shellfish toxin - domoic acid, were well below the safety or alert level of 20 ppm, (results were 1.8 & 2.3). We did not have another sample scheduled until later in this week because razor clams were not accessible, on Clatsop Beaches, until the early morning low tides this Wed., 10/2 and Thurs., 10/3. We do have samples on the way to the lab tonight and we will have results by Friday morning.

Oregon's toxin alert levels are the same as Washington. The toxin alert levels are set well below the level that would make the average person ill. It usual takes 5 - 10 times the toxin alert level to create symptoms and cause illness for the average weight and health person.

You asked if the Columbia River's might affect the direction of a toxin bloom. The affect of environmental conditions like currents or weather is not used to predict whether we should take samples or close for a toxin alert. Not enough is known about these impacts to make public health decisions. Algae blooms, which produce domoic acid or PSP toxins, usual occur in the open ocean and may be carried to the coast by offshore or near shore currents or a storm or up-welling event. The toxin monitoring plan varies with the seasons - weekly in the summer, monthly in winter months and bimonthly in spring and fall. Razor clams and mussels are collected during each accessible low tide series. We also have "hanging" sites that are accessible regardless of tides. And commercial shellfish growers such as oyster farmers provide us with samples on a regular basis.

One difference between Oregon and Washington is the way razor clam fishery seasons are set. Washington opens for a specific number of days over a tide series. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, (ODF&W), opens razor clamming on October 1st, after the resource conservation closure period (July 15 - Sept 30). Oregon Dept of Agriculture, (ODA), is the agency with the responsibility for monitoring shellfish safety for consumers. The two agencies cooperate to collect samples, analyze the results and close the season if there is a toxin alert.

If the test results coming out on Friday exceed the alert level for domoic acid, a shellfish harvest closure will be issued, immediately. This is done by a news release to the media - statewide. We will update out shellfish hotline -(503) 986-4728, and you can also check at the ODA home page (www.oda.state.or.us) under Warnings & Alerts, search on Shellfish. ODF&W offices will also have the latest information.

I appreciate your concern and 'hope you will write again or call if you have any more questions.

Sincerely, Deb Cannon 503.986.4723
<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">So I guess the last test was Sept 23 and they will test again Friday. I think I'll wait until the report comes out to plan my weekend.

[LoafsNFishes]

Hi all,
Does anyone know if this toxin is in crab as well? Thinking about crabbing this weekend around Clatsop spit in the Columbia.

LNF

[fishisabonus]

I was wondering about oysters too. Are they safe to eat?

[Miss B Haven]

fishisabonus - don't ask us Oregonians, there are no Oysters here that you can harvest :depressed: (not if you get caught anyway) :shocked: . They are all private farms raised, no wild. Have to get a WA opinion on this one. graemlins/stupid.gif
I didn't know there were any Oysters on the South Wash coast either. I thought you had to go up in the Sound/North/ Island area to find wilds. (I don't think those guys in Willappa (SP?) bay would appreciate you helping with their harvest either). :cheers:
Bummer about the razors. You might want to get a day OR license and do Razors on the Clatsop Beachs. I don't know exactly where- near Gearhart is where the guys in the Marina were getting them earlier this summer. I'm sure soemone on the board knows a location. :smile:

[Pitch Pocket]

I don't think you need a license to dig clams in Oregon. You just have to follow the rules.

[poshie]

Crabs are not affected by the toxin level. We have checked this many times over.
Don't know about oysters.
If you don't know that clamming does not
need a licence, then may newbies need to
read the clam threads on this board.
There certainly needs to be a great caring
awareness about harvesting clams and the wasteage. There are clamming regulations
and many people do not follow requirements.
If the enforcement is cut for this season,
then we all need to help out.
You can teach your kids but they need to be
able to dig their own....
It is such a great sport, let's take care of it.
I am very passionate about this sport. :cool:

[LoafsNFishes]

thanks Posh for the crab info...

LNF

[BottomFeeder]

Whatever eats the algea, all the filter feeder animals, clams, oysters, mussels, etc. would probably get contimated. Crabs do not since they do not filter feed (although they do eat clams and mussels).

Try to remain clam

-Bottomfeeder