California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Meghan Hertel reopened the recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County following testing that showed domoic acid levels no longer pose a health risk to consumers.
The fishery was closed on July 31 in Del Norte County due to elevated levels of domoic acid, a naturally occurring marine toxin. Clams sampled in July and August 2026 from Crescent Beach, Del Norte County, all had domoic acid concentrations lower than the federal action level, allowing the fishery to reopen, the agency said.
The recreational razor clam fishery in neighboring Humboldt County remains closed due to elevated domoic acid levels. That closure, which began in May 2024, remains in effect until state health agencies determine razor clams no longer pose a health risk.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will continue to work with the California Department of Public Health and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as they monitor ocean conditions for domoic acid and test razor clams from Northern California to determine when the Humboldt County fishery can safely reopen.
The daily bag limit for razor clams is 20, and the first 20 clams dug must be retained regardless of size or condition. The fishery is open south of Battery Point in Crescent City in Del Norte County. Each person must keep a separate container for their clams and cannot commingle their take with another person when digging and transporting clams.