Beaches from the Lyre River/Low Point to the Jefferson County line, including Dungeness Bay, are closed to the recreational harvest of all shellfish species due to an increased level of biotoxins.
The state Department of Health announced the results of testing on Thursday.
West of Lyre River to Cape Flattery is open to harvesting of all species except butter and varnish clams, which can hold onto toxins for as long as a year.
Jefferson County beaches at Dabob, Quilcene and Discovery bays also are closed to harvest of all species, while Port Ludlow and Matts Matts bays are open to all shellfish harvesting except butter and varnish clams.
Ocean beaches remain seasonally closed to harvesting.
A raw shellfish consumption advisory for Vibrio bacteria remains in effect.
The Vibrio warning advises cooling all shellfish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds, said Michael Dawson, water quality manager for Jefferson County Public Health.
Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxin prior to distribution and should be safe to eat.
“All species” includes clams (including geoduck), oysters, mussels and other invertebrates such as the moon snail. All areas are closed to recreational scallop harvest.
The closures do not apply to shrimp. Crabmeat is not known to contain biotoxins, but the guts or “butter” can contain unsafe levels. So cleaning the crab thoroughly and throwing out the “butter” is recommended.
For more information, call the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 or visit the Department of Health’s Marine Biotoxin Website at www.doh.wa.gov/ shellfishsafety.htm
For additional information, call Audrey Coyne with the state Department of Health, Office of Shellfish and Water Protection, at 360-236-3354.
