PORT TOWNSEND — Brinnon area beaches now are off limits to recreational shellfish harvesters, and a public meeting has been set to explain why.
High levels of marine biotoxin that causes the potentially deadly Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) were found in shellfish samples from the Hood Canal, the Jefferson County Public Health Department announced late Thursday.
The state Department of Health extended a previous closure of Quilcene and Dabob bays to include Hood Canal from Seal Rock south to the Jefferson-Mason County line.
This includes public beaches at Seal Rock and Dosewallips and Triton Cove State Parks, among others.
The closure applies only to recreational harvesting. Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxin prior to distribution and should be safe to eat, the state health department said.
A special meeting has been scheduled at the Quilcene Community Center, 294952 U.S. Highway 101 at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday to discuss the causes of closures last fall and now.
Clara Hard, public health adviser from the state health department, will talk about why the areas are closed, the program that monitors harmful algae blooms and the health risks of the different biotoxins.
She will answer questions from the audience.
Dabob Bay and Quilcene Bay beaches were closed May 1.
That closure extended south to Zelatched Point on the Toandos Peninsula and across Dabob Bay to just north of Seal Rock on Hood Canal.
In Clallam County, the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Cape Flattery east to the Jefferson County line already had been closed to the recreational harvest of all species — except in Sequim Bay and Discovery Bay.
In those bays, only butter clams and varnish clams are off limits.
In Jefferson County, Kilisut Harbor, including Mystery Bay, and Port Ludlow, including Mats Mats Bay, also are closed to butter clam ad varnish clam harvesting.
Ocean beaches in both counties are presently closed for the season for harvesting of all species of shellfish.
Danger signs are being posted at high-use beaches, warning people not to consume shellfish from this area.
The closure includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of molluscan shellfish. It does not apply to shrimp.
Crab meat is not known to contain the biotoxin, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts (also known as the “butter”).
PSP can sicken and possibly kill people with marine toxins that are not destroyed by cooking or freezing.
In most cases, the algae that contains the poisons cannot be seen and must be detected by laboratory testing.
Symptoms of PSP can appear within minutes or hours and usually begin with tingling lips and tongue, moving to the hands and feet, followed by difficulty breathing and possible death.
Anyone experiencing such symptoms should contact a health care provider immediately and call 9-1-1 in extreme cases.
Before gathering shellfish, check the safety map at www.doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm or call 800-562-5632.
Recreational shellfishers also should check state regulations at www.wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish.
