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July 11, 2023
ASTORIA, Ore – Razor clamming is closed at 12:01 a.m. July 15 on Clatsop County beaches through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30.
Since 1967, the 18 miles of beaches from Tillamook Head in Seaside to the mouth of the Columbia River close each year to let new young clams settle on the beaches. It allows their populations to thrive and ensure future harvest opportunities for shellfishers. During the closure, ODFW staff assess the razor clam stocks
ODFW shellfish biologist Matt Hunter hopes people respect the closure.
"Giving those young razor clams the time they need to set and not be disturbed benefits clam diggers in the long run," Hunter said. "Unlike 2022 when we didn't see many young clams, this spring and summer we are, so the conservation closure is even that much more important."
When the closure begins, the only other option for razor clam harvesting is from the north jetty of the Siuslaw River to Seal Rock. The rest of the coast remains closed due to elevated domoic acid levels.
Bay clam harvesting is currently open coast-wide.
Always check for toxin-related closures before harvesting clams or crabs by calling the shellfish safety hotline 1-800-448-2474. Closures are also noted on ODA'S Recreation Shellfish page and on ODFW's Recreation Report – Clamming and Crabbing Report.
For more information about clamming on the Oregon coast, visit ODFW's Crabbing and Clamming page online.
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