Mussel harvesting is closed from Seal Rock State Park to WA border – ODFW release – SALEM, Ore – Mussel harvesting is now closed from the Washington border south to Seal Rock State Park due to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), a natural marine biotoxin. The Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the extended closure Sunday. The closure was extended from the central coast to include the entire north coast. Illnesses consistent with PSP have been reported from mussels harvested from the north coast. The mussel closure is not related to the oil event currently happening along the northern Oregon and southern Washington coasts. PSP is a natural marine biotoxin produced by some species of microscopic algae. ODA’s testing showed the PSP level in mussels was rising in the last few weeks, and levels are now beyond the safety threshold. Mussel harvesting remains open from Seal Rock State Park to the California border. Razor clam harvesting is open from the Washington border to Cape Blanco and remains closed from Cape Blanco to the California border. Crab and bay clam harvesting remain open along the entire Oregon coast. ODA will continue testing for shellfish toxins at least twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit. For more information call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin hotline at (800) 448-2474, the ODA Food Safety Program at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage. Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules, and limits.
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