Current situation
Until further notice, mussel harvesting is closed from Seal rock to the Washington state border.
The Oregon Health Authority has received reports of multiple cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning since May 25. Cases have reported consumption of mussels from North Oregon Coast beaches. This closure is NOT related to the tar pollution issue occurring in the same area.
What is Paralytic shellfish poisoning and what are the signs and symptoms?
Paralytic shellfish poisoning is the most common and most severe form of shellfish poisoning.
- Signs of illness usually appear 30–60 minutes after a person eats toxic shellfish and include numbness and tingling of the face, lips, tongue, arms, and legs. Patients also might have diarrhea and vomiting, headache, and nausea.
- Severe cases are associated with ingestion of large doses of toxin and clinical features such as poor muscle control, clumsiness or slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, loose or floppy limbs, mental status changes, and respiratory failure.
- Paralytic shellfish poisoning can be deadly, especially for children. Appropriate medical care can lessen the risk of death.
What to do if someone gets PSP?
- Call Oregon Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance.
What to do with previous shellfish harvest?
Any mussels harvested after May 15, 2024, should be discarded even if they have been frozen. Marine shellfish toxins cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing.
How can I prevent PSP?
- Avoid consuming potentially contaminated shellfish.
- Avoid harvest and consumption of seafood from beaches with biotoxin closures.
Other important information about PSP
- Marine shellfish toxins cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing.
- Shellfish containing paralytic shellfish toxin may not look, smell, or taste any different than uncontaminated shellfish.
- Crabs may feed on shellfish and, therefore, might also have the toxin.
- Pets and service animals should also not eat potentially toxic shellfish.
Lincoln County Public Health remains committed to safeguarding public health and will continue to monitor and assess the situation, providing updates and guidance as necessary.
For more information, visit:
State of Oregon: Shellfish - Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures
Shellfish and biotoxins | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (myodfw.com)
Oregon Health Authority : Seafood and Shellfish Resources : Fish and Shellfish Consumption : State of Oregon