The Oregon Department of Agriculture has closed recreational and commercial shellfish harvesting on the South Coast from the area south of the jetties at Coos Bay to the California border, due to elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning or PSP toxins.

The closure, which extends to the California border, includes clams and mussels on the beaches, rocks and jetties. Coastal scallops also are affected by this closure. Only the adductor muscle should be eaten from scallops harvested on the Oregon coast.

All the bays in Coos and Curry counties remain open to clamming, except for razor clamming which is prohibited due to another toxin. Mussels from beaches north of Coos Bay are open and have tested safe.

Harvesting of razor clams remains closed on the entire coast, in part due to domoic acid contamination retained by the razor clams during a previous toxin event. Continued testing indicates razor clams on the central and south coast still contain unsafe levels of domoic acid.

Commercial clams, mussels and oysters are tested directly and products on the market are safe. Crab is not affected by this level of toxin and is safe to eat.

Shellfish contamination with PSP toxins can cause minor to severe illness or even death. The symptoms usually begin with tingling of the mouth and tongue. Severe poisoning can result in dizziness, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, paralysis of the arms and legs, and paralysis of the muscles used for breathing. Shellfish toxins are produced by algae and usually originate in the ocean.

ODA will continue to test for shellfish toxins weekly. Reopening of an area requires two consecutive tests in the safe range.

For more information, those interested can call ODA's shellfish safety information hotline at (800) 448-2474.