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

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