[ODFW-News] Razor clamming open north of Newport

[ODFW News]

For immediate release Wednesday, March 8, 2006
 
Razor clamming open north of Newport
 
NEWPORT - Razor clamming reopens at noon today from Newport's north
jetty to the mouth of the Columbia River. 
 
Other beaches south of Newport still have domoic acid levels too high to
allow digging.
Normally, razor clamming south of Tillamook Head is open all year and
razor clamming from the Columbia River to Tillamook Head is open from
Oct. 1 through July 14. 
 
However, shellfish harvesting areas are closed to all harvest when
toxins exceed an alert level. An alert level of 20 ppm for domoic acid
provides a margin of safety and halts harvest before toxins reach a
higher level that may cause illness. 
 
Recent testing of razor clams by the Oregon Department of Agriculture
found domoic acid levels less than 15 parts per million at Agate Beach,
well below the 20 ppm that would trigger a closure. 

Other Oregon beaches remain closed because of high domoic acid levels.
Oregon Department of Agriculture officials said the beaches at Ona Beach
tested at 34 ppm, Coos Bay at 45 ppm and Gold Beach at 46 ppm - too high
to open for razor clam digging. Bay clamming and mussels remain open
statewide.

"High surf conditions during this time of year may make digging
dangerous," said Dave Fox, Marine Resources Program assistant manager.
"So check the weather and surf reports before setting out for the
beach."

A razor clam reaches an average size of 31/2 inches in its first year
and up to 41/2 inches by the second year. Growth slows after the second
year as energy is used for reproduction rather than accelerated growth.
 
A shellfish license is required for anyone 14 years or older to harvest
all shellfish. The daily limit for razor clams is the first 15 taken,
regardless of size or condition - small and broken clams must be
retained. 

"Following the 'first 15' rule is one of the best ways to avoid wastage
and conserve the razor clam resource," said Matthew Hunter, shellfish
and estuary project leader for ODFW. "To avoid smaller clams look for a
siphon holes or 'shows' that are dime-sized or larger. If you use a clam
gun to dig, make sure that it is at least four-inches in diameter to
avoid damaging the clam. Always remember that small and broken clams
must be included in your bag limit."

For more information on Oregon's razor clams, including tips on how to
dig razor clams, visit
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams.

For additional information on shellfish toxins please visit the Oregon
Department of Agriculture website at
http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/shellfish_status.shtml or call ODA's
shellfish hotline at 1-800-448-2474.
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