Mussel Gathering Closed Again on S. Oregon Coast After Biotoxins Found

Published 11/23/25 at 6:35 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Port Orford, Oregon) – Gathering of mussels on the south Oregon coast is down once again, thanks to pesky biotoxins. (Photo Seaside Aquarium).

Mussel harvesting has been closed from Cape Blanco south to the California border after state officials detected unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST). The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the closure late this week, citing recent test results showing toxin concentrations above the safety threshold. Paralytic Shellfish Toxin is a naturally occurring marine biotoxin that can cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, a serious illness in humans.

Officials urge the public to check conditions before harvesting by calling the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or visiting the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures webpage.

Mussels remain open from the Washington border to Cape Blanco, but are closed south of that point. The closure would include Gold Beach and Brookings. The vast majority of the Oregon coast is still open, including: Bandon, Coos Bay, Reedsport, Florence, Yachats, Waldport, Newport, Lincoln City, Pacific City, Oceanside Rockaway Beach, Tillamook, Cannon Beach and Seaside.

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Razor clams follow the same pattern, open north of Cape Blanco and closed south. Bay clams are open coastwide. Crabbing is closed in ocean waters from October 16 through November 30, but remains open year-round in bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers, and jetties.

ODA continues testing shellfish twice monthly, as tides and weather allow. Closed areas can only reopen after two consecutive tests show levels below the closure limit. Domoic acid, another naturally occurring toxin, has surged in recent years as warmer ocean temperatures fuel its growth. Oregon’s crabbing industry has faced repeated setbacks, with shortened seasons and delays over the past five years.

Trailkeepers of Oregon

In 2024, elevated biotoxin levels triggered the most extensive shellfish closure on record. Twenty people fell ill after consuming mussels contaminated with Paralytic Shellfish Toxin, leading to a coastwide shutdown of recreational harvesting in Oregon and closures in Washington’s commercial bays.

For updates, call the ODA 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. For licensing, permits, and harvest rules, contact ODFW.

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