• About razor clams
• Regulations
• How to dig
• Where to dig
• Wastage
• Domoic acid and PSP
• Life history of razor clams
• Behavior
• Current research
• Phytoplankton sampling
• News and Announcments
• FAQ's

Oregon’s Harmful Algal Bloom monitoring project was initiated in June of 2005, after a coast wide shellfish harvesting closure due to Domoic Acid (DA).  Through NOAA’s MERHAB-CSCOR (Monitoring and Event Response Harmful Algal Blooms-Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research) emergency response funding, Oregon was able to develop a monitoring program similar to Washington State’s ORHAB (Olympic Region Harmful Algal Bloom) project.   In 2006, ODFW in collaboration with Oregon State university, University of Oregon and the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center were awarded a 5 year nearly $2,300,000 grant to develop an integrated harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring and event response program.  This new program, Monitoring Oregon’s Coastal Harmful Algae (MOCHA) has been collecting data since 2007.  Currently ODFW staff in conjunction with Oregon Department of Agriculture is working to monitor 10 sites along the coast of Oregon for any potential signs of the phytoplankton that cause Domoic Acid (Pseudo-nitzschia sp.) and Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (Alexandrium sp.).

Phytoplankton
The Latin roots of phytoplankton translate to “phyto” meaning plant and “plankton” meaning drifter
Phytoplankton is a primary producer responsible for approximately 90% of earth’s oxygen production.
There are an estimated 5,000 marine species
Phytoplankton are the base of the oceans food web and help sustain all marine life
Usually single celled organisms, though they commonly form colonies
Cells range in size from 2 microns to 2 millimeters
Phytoplankton reproduce by sexual or asexual reproduction
Use photosynthesis to convert light,  carbon, and nutrients into energy
Capable of living in a wide variety of marine environments

Pseudo-nitzschia on the move via cellular respiration

                                   
Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB’S)

• Over 300 species of phytoplankton have been indicated in causing “red tides” 
• While most “red tides” are harmless over 80 phytoplankton species may produce toxins that are harmful to humans and marine life
• Species commonly found in Oregon and there associated toxins:

                                                                      Pseudo-nitzschia
    
                           Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) caused by the production of  Domoic Acid
      
                       Dinophysis                                                                                          Alexandrium
                                    
    Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP)                                            Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)

Sampling:
Phytoplankton samples are collected weekly at the following sites.  Clatsop Beach (3), Cannon Beach (1), Agate Beach (1), Tillicum Beach (1), North Spit (1), Bastendorff Beach (1), Whiskey Run (1), Gold Beach (1).  Sampling for phytoplankton consists of testing sea surf water by the two following methods;
1) Whole Water Sample- This sample is taken from the surf using a five gallon bucket to first collect the water.  After the sand settles a small 8 oz sample jar is filled.  A temperature and salinity reading is taken, the jar is labeled and prepared to be sent back to the lab for analysis.
2) Net Tow Sample- This sample is taken using a phytoplankton net to concentrate what plankton are in the water.  The net is made of a selective material allowing the sea water to escape while trapping the phytoplankton.  The net can either be towed through the surf for a short amount of time or the sampler may pour a bucket or two of water through the top end to collect the sample.  The sample is then placed in a container, labeled and sent to the lab.

 ODFW scientist grabs water sample from surf 

Analysis:
Back at the lab internationally trained staff receives and prepares the samples for analysis.  Using a light microscope, concentrated samples are viewed to determine the presence of Pseudo-nitzschia sp. and Alexandrium sp.  This gives staff a quick idea of what phytoplankton is abundant along the coast.  Staff then tests the whole water samples using a 0.1 ml nano-plankton chamber.  Any Pseudo-nitzschia sp., Alexandrium sp. or other variety of phytoplankton are recorded and quantified.  The results are then checked against acceptable levels that were developed by the ORHAB project and action is taken if necessary.      

Program goals

• Mitigate impacts of HAB's events to local economies
• Reduce human health impacts caused by HAB’s
• Provide an early warning system for HAB events
• Further our knowledge of ocean health
• Fill a data gap in Oregon’s key transition zone in west coast oceanography and the Ocean Observing System
• Combine data from oceanographic research with data from ongoing plankton and shellfish monitoring programs

Groups of interest:
Oregon State University, Strutton Lab - Strutton Lab
Northwest Fisheries Science Center, HAB Program  -  NWFSC Harmful Algal Blooms Program
NOAA’s Harmful Algae Bloom Page - Harmful Algae : Red Tide
Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) - ODA Food Safety Division Shellfish safety closures

Clam food :
. Razor clams feed on a variety of phytoplankton, many such as Pleurosigma, Ceratium, Stephanopyxis sp., Attheya armatus, Asterionellopsis, and Thalassiosira. Another diatom, Pseudo-nitzschia produces Domoic acid. For reasons yet unknown to researchers this diatom doesn't always produce domoic acid. Research is focused on finding the link between abundance and variety of diatoms and dinoflagellates with levels of domoic acid. Assessments of the composition of phytoplankton species and levels are used to enhance west coast harmful algal bloom research.
 
Here is a microscopic look at the phytoplankton the makes up an Oregon razor clams diet
Diatoms

Dinoflagellates