Here is the latest report listed at
http://www.oda.state.or.us/dbs/waca/search.lasso
It states that all bays have tested safe and are not closed. Saw people out harvesting cockles and gaper clams at T-Bay a couple of weeks ago.
This report is dated 12/24/02 so you might call the number listed below for the latest information. Might be safe.
December 24, 2002… The Oregon Department of Agriculture has extended its domoic acid closure of recreational and commercial shellfish harvesting to include the entire Oregon Coast, but for razor clams only. This precaution is necessary because harvesters report finding razor clams on parts of the coast where there is no testing. Harvesting of mussels has reopened on the north and central coast as the toxin level has dropped to non-detectable levels. Razor clams, however, retain the domoic acid contamination longer. Domoic acid remains above the safe level in the most recently tested razor clams. This extended closure includes razor clam harvesting areas on the beaches, ocean spits, and jetties from the mouth of the Columbia River to the California border. The previous closure had extended to Yachats. Razor clams on Clatsop County and Newport area beaches are tested when tides and weather permit sampling. Levels have begun to decline but remain significantly above the safe level. All bays in the affected areas are open except for the jetties at the entrances to the bays. Clamming is also prohibited inside the mouth of the Columbia River. Bait harvesting is not allowed during toxin closures. Eating shellfish contaminated with domoic acid can cause minor to severe illness within minutes to hours after consumption. In mild cases, symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and headache. In more serious cases, symptoms may include permanent loss of short-term memory, excessive bronchial secretions, difficulty breathing, coma, and even death. The toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking or adding baking soda, or any other method. If you experience these symptoms after consuming razor clams, you should contact your physician. Domoic acid is a naturally occurring toxin produced by marine phytoplankton or algae. Poisoning can cause short-term memory loss and is also called amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). The toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking, adding baking soda, or any other method. Only the adductor muscle meat should be eaten from scallops harvested from the Oregon Coast. Crab does not concentrate domoic acid in the meat and are not affected by this closure. However, recreational harvesters are advised not to eat the crab viscera, or guts, at this time. Commercial oysters and bay clams are sampled directly and products on the market are safe. All bays on the Oregon coast have tested safe and are not closed. For more information, call ODA's shellfish line (503) 986-4728 or visit the ODA web page (
www.oda.state.or.us) for Warnings and Alerts.
[ 03-10-2003, 07:12 AM: Message edited by: brshooter ]
sturgn
Nehalem Clamming?
My little "Kujoette"
Linear Mode
