Central Oregon Coast's Alsea Bay Under Clam Advisory Due to Saxitoxin

Published 08/18/25 at 7:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is urging the public to avoid harvesting or consuming softshell and bay clams from the Alsea Bay estuary at Waldport, following an updated health advisory issued by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). (Photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

It's a somewhat new kind of shellfish warning for the Oregon coast – one which does not happen very often.

The advisory stems from elevated levels of saxitoxin - a potent neurotoxin responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) - detected in Eckman Lake, which drains directly into Alsea Bay. OHA first issued a recreational use advisory for the lake on July 31 due to cyanobacteria, and updated it on August 15 after testing revealed dangerously high concentrations of saxitoxin.

More common are other kinds of biotoxins.

Saxitoxin is produced by microscopic organisms such as dinoflagellates and blue-green algae. These toxins accumulate in shellfish, including clams, scallops, mussels, and oysters, and remain stable even when cooked. Human consumption of contaminated shellfish can lead to serious symptoms including numbness, paralysis, disorientation, and in severe cases, death. Symptoms typically appear within 30 minutes to several hours after ingestion.

Photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection: Governor Patterson State Park

ODFW emphasized that the risk is particularly high for softshell and bay clams harvested from Alsea Bay, given the direct connection to Eckman Lake. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is conducting further testing on clams from the estuary, with results expected next week.

Eckman Lake - ODFW

Paralytic shellfish poisoning has been documented in a variety of species along the Oregon coast, including razor clams, bay clams, mussels, scallops, and oysters. Officials continue to monitor the situation and will update the public as new information becomes available. Results will be posted here .

For now, residents and visitors are advised to exercise caution and avoid harvesting shellfish from the affected area. MORE WALDPORT BELOW

Hotels in Newport - Where to eat - Newport Maps and Virtual Tours

Hotels in Waldport - Where to eat - Waldport, Seal Rock Maps and Virtual Tours

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Exquisite Spring Break Hangouts on Oregon Coast with New Discoveries
The wows of Lincoln City and Cannon Beach, including the beginning of a ghost forest. Lincoln City hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel reviews, specials, Seaside hotel reviews. Shearwater Inn, Schooner's Cove, Wayside Inn, Pelican Shores Inn, Looking Glass Inn

An Oregon Coast Legend Reopens: Hotel Sylvia in Newport's Nye Beach in a New ...
Many author rooms remain, now include book genre themes. Newport hotel reviews. Coffee shop, breakfast, restaurant, eat

In Manzanita, Susan's Beach Cottage is Elder Oregon Coast Statesman with a Mo...
One vacation rental no one seems to know about. Manzanita hotel reviews, Oregon coast lodging news

Off The Beaten Path In Lincoln City, View to Gnarly or Nice on Oregon Coast
Nothing but surf and lovely amenities in a hidden part of Lincoln City. Lincoln City hotel reviews. Pelican Shores Inn

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted