[ODFW-News] Razor clamming to open north of Tillamook Head Oct. 1

[ODFW News]

Much of the Oregon Coast remains closed due to elevated toxin levels
Clatsop Beach razor clamming to open October 1


September 26, 2003Š Testing conducted this week reveals domoic acid 
levels are in the safe range for razor clams collected from Clatsop 
Beach, the area north of Tillamook Head to the Columbia River South 
Jetty, clearing the way for the beach to open October 1 when the 
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) conservation closure 
ends.

The beaches south of Seaside to the California border remain closed 
to razor clamming due to a separate bloom of the algae that produces 
domoic acid.  Razor clams on the central coast were well above the 
safe level when tested earlier this month.

Both clams and mussels are closed to harvest from Coos Bay south to 
the California border due to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) 
toxins above the safe level.  This closure began September 12, 2003. 
Re-testing conducted this week shows the level of PSP toxins is still 
rising in this area.  Shellfish contaminated with PSP toxins can 
cause minor to severe illness.

The Clatsop Beach closure began in October 2002 when levels of domoic 
acid exceeded the domoic acid alert level. The central and south 
coast razor clams were added to the closure by the end of 2002. 
Razor clams retain domoic acid in the edible tissue and purge the 
toxin slowly.

Razor clams on the central and south beaches were affected by a 
second bloom of domoic acid-producing algae in June 2003, increasing 
the level dangerously high.  Levels have begun to drop but still can 
cause mild to severe symptoms for consumers who might defy the 
closure.

Domoic acid is a naturally occurring toxin produced by marine 
phytoplankton or algae.  Eating shellfish contaminated with domoic 
acid can cause minor illness within minutes to hours after 
consumption. The toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking, adding baking 
soda, or any other method. In mild cases, symptoms can include 
vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and headache. More severe cases 
of domoic acid poisoning can result in memory problems and even 
death.  Anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming razor clams 
should contact a physician.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) oversees the shellfish 
toxin monitoring program. ODFW and special permitted volunteers 
assist ODA in collecting razor clams.  More sites and clam species 
have been sampled than in past years in an effort to define closure 
areas. Other species of clams, other than razor clams, collected from 
well inside bays (past entrances, jetties, or spits), continue to 
test within the safe range for domoic acid and PSP poisoning.

Updates on shellfish toxin closures are available through ODA's 
Shellfish Hotline (503-986-4728) and online at <www.oda.state.or.us> 
in the "Warnings and Alerts" section of ODA's website.  For more 
information, contact Deb Cannon at (503) 986-4720.