Razor clamming has been reopened on the northern Oregon coast by the ODFW after the Oregon Department of Agriculture tested the clams for marine toxins and found them safe to eat.
Recent samples taken from the beaches indicate that domoic acid levels have dipped below the threshold limit.
The ODFW announced the opening on Jan. 17. Recreational and commercial harvest of razor clams is now open from the Columbia River south to Tillamook Head.
Other shellfish, including bay clams, mussels, and crabs, are open along the entire coast. Razor clam harvesting is still closed from Tillamook Head to the California border.
For more information, call ODA’s shellfish safety hotline: (800) 448-2474, or visit the ODA recreational shellfish biotoxin closures webpage.
ODFW announces art competition
The ODFW will hold three stamp art competitions for 2021, and wildlife artists are invited to enroll. The winners will receive a $2,000 award, as well as having their art displayed on the state’s hunting and conservation stamps.
The competitions include a Habitat Conservation Stamp, which must feature a Oregon Conservation Strategy species in its natural habitat.
An Upland Game Bird Stamp, which will feature a spruce grouse in its natural environment.
A Waterfowl Stamp, in which entries must feature Canada goose, surf scoter, cinnamon teal, or snow goose in its natural setting.
Entries must be deliverd or shipped to the ODFW headquarters in Salem between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25.
A panel of judges will choose the winning artwork based on artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, as well as general appeal. All qualifying submissions will be displayed for the public at the annual November art show, date to be determined.
All first-place artwork will be used for collectors stamps, art prints, and promotional materials. All proceeds from the sale of products will be used for habitat improvement, conservation, and research.
Interested artists are encouraged to visit ODFW’s stamp art competition webpage for more information on the contests and to view entries from previous years.
Vancouver Wildlife League meeting
The Vancouver Wildlife League will host its monthly members meeting on Feb. 5 at the WDFW Region 5 headquarters in Ridgefield.
The meeting will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The speaker will be Terry Otto, and there will be a segment on Larry Cassidy’s YouTube site about fishing. Non-members are welcome to attend.
