After an annual conservation closure that began in July, Clatsop County beaches reopened for razor clam harvesting on Oct. 1.

According to population assessments performed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists, juvenile recruitment is down significantly from the 20-year average. Clam digging is expected to be average or below average this season, and clam abundance is highest in the middle and southern portions of Clatsop beaches.

People can call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s recreational shellfish biotoxin webpage for updates.