Oregon faces toxic algae blooms and shellfish harvesting closures

Significant biotoxin outbreaks are affecting water quality and shellfish harvesting across Oregon. In the Alsea Bay estuary near Waldport, the Oregon Health Authority has issued a recreational-use advisory for Eckman Lake after tests detected cyanobacteria and extremely high levels of saxitoxin, a paralytic shellfish toxin. Consequently, officials recommend that people avoid harvesting or consuming softshell and bay clams from the estuary.

Further south, a broader closure is in effect for mussel harvesting from Cape Blanco to the California border due to domoic acid concentrations exceeding safety thresholds. Additionally, razor clam harvesting is closed from the Washington border to Tillamook Head and from Cape Blanco to the California border.

In Portland, scientists are reporting an unusually severe cyanobacteria bloom in the Ross Island lagoon that has spread to the Willamette River. Desirée Tullos, a professor at Oregon State University, described the outbreak as having the worst water quality conditions she has observed, noting that golf ball-sized green clusters of cyanobacteria are floating through the area. The intensity of the bloom is attributed to a warmer-than-average spring and low water levels, potentially exacerbated by a silt curtain installed at the lagoon which may have reduced local water flow.