Toxin warning halts clam harvesting in Oregon bay

Source: This report is based on an official public release from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. PULSE organizes and summarizes public government communications. Read the original release →

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended that people avoid harvesting and consuming softshell and bay clams from Alsea Bay estuary after the Oregon Health Authority issued a recreational use advisory for Eckman Lake on August 28, the agency said.

The OHA advisory cited the presence of cyanobacteria and very high levels of saxitoxin, a paralytic shellfish toxin, in Eckman Lake. Since the lake drains directly into the Alsea Bay estuary, the toxin poses a risk to clams in the bay, according to ODFW.

Saxitoxin can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. The ODFW recommends avoiding clams from the estuary until the advisory is lifted.