Domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin produced by certain types of algae, can be harmful or even fatal to humans if contaminated shellfish is consumed. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) routinely provides razor clams from various ocean beaches to the Washington Department of Health to test for domoic acid. State public health officials have set the unsafe level for domoic acid in razor clams at 20 parts per million and above.
Charts of current and historic domoic acid levels are available for the beaches listed below.
-
Long Beach
From the Columbia River north to the mouth of the Willapa Bay.
-
Twin Harbors
From Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.
-
Copalis Beach
From the north jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor to the Copalis River.
-
Mocrocks Beach
From the Copalis River to the south boundary of the Quinault Indian Reservation.
-
Kalaloch
From the South Beach campground north to ONP Beach Trail 3.
-
Willapa Spits
The sand spits in Willapa Bay are referred to as the Willapa Spits and are used for commercial harvest.