Published 10/26/25 at 7:35 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Bandon, Oregon) – Mussels are again a thing on most of the coastline. Photo of Oceanside, Oregon Coast Beach Connection.

Mussel harvesting has reopened along the Oregon coast from Cascade Head south to the California border, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced this week. Recent tests show marine biotoxin levels in this stretch have dropped below the alert threshold, allowing the recreational harvest to resume.

This vast area includes Brookings, Gold Beach, Port Orford, Bandon, Florence, Yachats, Newport and Lincoln City.

However, mussel harvesting remains closed from the Washington border to Cascade Head due to elevated toxin levels. This includes Oceanside, Tillamook, Manzanita, Cannon Beach and Seaside.

Razor clam harvesting is currently permitted between the Columbia River and Cape Blanco, but remains closed from Cape Blanco to the California border. Bay clams are open for harvest across the entire coast. Recreational crab harvesting is allowed in bays, beaches, piers, jetties, and tide pools, but remains closed in ocean waters through November 30.

Officials urge shellfish harvesters to check current conditions before heading out. The Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 and the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures webpage provide up-to-date information on closures and openings.

ODA continues to monitor shellfish toxin levels at least twice monthly, depending on tides and weather. Areas closed due to biotoxins can only reopen after two consecutive tests show levels below the closure limit.

For licensing, permits, and harvest regulations, contact ODFW. For biotoxin updates, call the ODA Shellfish Biotoxin Hotline at (800) 448-2474 or the Food Safety Program at 503-986-4720.

On the Washington coast, razor clamming dates are still being examined. There are currently two sets of tentative date ranges to open the activity on different areas of the coast. These are:

Nov. 3, Monday, 4:30 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 4, Tuesday, 5:15 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 5, Wednesday, 6:01 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 6, Thursday, 6:46 p.m.; -2.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 7, Friday, 7:34 p.m.; -1.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 8, Saturday, 8:25 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 9, Sunday, 9:19 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Nov. 18, Tuesday, 5:18 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 19, Wednesday, 5:52 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 20, Thursday, 6:25 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 21, Friday, 6:59 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 22, Saturday, 7:34 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 23, Sunday, 8:12 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

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