ODFW advised the public to avoid harvesting and consuming softshell clams from the Alsea Bay estuary after the Oregon Health Authority issued a recreational use advisory for Eckman Lake

Eugene, OR – According to the state officials, after the Oregon Health Authority issued a recreational use advisory for Eckman Lake in Lincoln County, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife advised the public to avoid harvesting and consuming softshell clams from the Alsea Bay estuary.

The advisory was prompted by a cyanobacteria bloom and the presence of biotoxins exceeding safe recreational exposure levels.

Laboratory tests have also revealed high levels of saxitoxins in the lake’s water.

Since Eckman Lake feeds directly into the Alsea Bay estuary, and given the potential risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning from saxitoxins, ODFW strongly recommends against harvesting and eating softshell clams from the area.

Testing for biotoxin levels in softshell clams from Alsea Bay is currently underway, with results anticipated next week.