PORT TOWNSEND — Kilisut Harbor, including Mystery Bay, has been closed to recreational shellfish harvesting.
The state Department of Health closed the area after shellfish samples were found to contain elevated levels of marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), reported Michael Dawson of Jefferson County Environmental Health on Wednesday.
Danger signs
Danger signs were being posted at public access points warning people not to consume shellfish from the area.
The closure includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of molluscan shellfish but does not apply to shrimp.
Crabmeat is not known to contain the biotoxin, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts, which are also known as the butter.
Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxins prior to distribution and should be safe to eat, the state Department of Health said.
Other beaches
Other Jefferson County beaches closed to recreational shellfish harvesting are Port Ludlow and Mats Mats Bay, and Strait of Juan de Fuca beaches from the Clallam County line east to Port Townsend, including Discovery Bay.
All Clallam County beaches along the Strait are closed to recreational shellfish harvests due to the presence of marine biotoxins.
Sequim Bay is closed due to diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, according to the state Department of Health.
Other Clallam County beaches have been closed to all species for elevated levels of the marine biotoxin that causes PSP.
Pacific Ocean beaches are under seasonal closure for all species.
PSP poisoning
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning 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 potentially death.
The toxin cannot be detected by sight or smell, the health department said. Neither cooking nor freezing destroys biotoxins.
Recreational shellfish harvesters can get the latest information before they leave for the beach by visiting www.doh.wa.gov or phoning 800-562-5632.
Health-related closures are in addition to seasonal closures regulated by Fish and Wildlife, found at www.wdfw.wa.gov.
The emergency regulation hotline is 866-880-5431.
