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Razor clam safety: domoic acid & PSP

An open beach is not always a safe beach. Marine biotoxins can make razor clams dangerous — even deadly — and cooking does not remove them. Here's what to know, and how to check before every dig.

The one rule that matters A beach being open to harvest and a beach being safe from toxins are two different things, tracked by two different agencies. ClamClock's whole job is to only ever say "go" when both are true. Until our live alerts launch, confirm both yourself before you head out.

Why razor clams can be unsafe even when they're legal to dig

Razor clams are filter feeders. They strain plankton from seawater — and when certain algae bloom along the coast, the clams concentrate the toxins those algae produce. The toxin ends up in the clam's edible tissue, and it stays there.

Cooking and freezing do not destroy these toxins. There is no way to clean, soak, or cook a contaminated clam to make it safe. That's why the states test clam samples in a lab and close beaches when levels climb — testing the meat is the only real protection.

Domoic acid (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning)

Domoic acid is produced by Pseudo-nitzschia algae. It's the most common reason razor clam digs get cancelled in the Pacific Northwest, and clams shed it slowly, so a beach can stay closed for weeks or months.

  • Symptoms begin within 24 hours — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps — and in severe cases progress to headache, dizziness, confusion, and short-term memory loss (the "amnesic" in ASP), seizures, and worse.
  • Beaches close when domoic acid reaches 20 parts per million (ppm) in clam tissue. Domoic acid has wiped out entire razor clam seasons in the past.

PSP (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning)

PSP comes from saxitoxin, produced by Alexandrium algae — sometimes called "red tide." It is faster and more dangerous than domoic acid.

  • Symptoms start within minutes to a couple of hours: tingling and numbness of the lips, tongue, and fingertips, spreading to loss of muscle control and difficulty breathing.
  • It can be fatal — Washington's health department documents death in under 30 minutes in severe cases, from respiratory paralysis. Children are especially vulnerable.
  • Beaches close when PSP reaches 80 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue. If you suspect PSP, call 911 immediately.
Don't trust the absence of a sign Washington DOH warns that beach closure signs sometimes go missing. Never assume a beach is safe because you don't see a warning — check the official status yourself.

How to check before you dig

Washington

Oregon

What ClamClock does about it

Our alerts are fail-closed by design: if a toxin feed is stale, missing, or unclear, we never show a green light. We only tell you a beach is good to go when it's confirmed open and confirmed below the toxin limits — and every alert links you straight to the official source so you can verify it yourself. We aggregate the official information; we are never the final authority. Always confirm with WDFW, ODFW, and the state health/agriculture departments before you dig.

ClamClock is an independent service, not affiliated with WDFW, ODFW, or any state health department. When in doubt, don't dig — and call the biotoxin hotline.