OLYMPIA — The state Department of Health has cleared all Clallam County beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Pillar Point to Dungeness Spit for recreational harvest of all shellfish species.
All Jefferson County beaches but for those on Discovery Bay also are open to shellfish harvesting.
Still closed because of high levels of biotoxins in shellfish samples are Strait beaches from Pillar Point west to Cape Flattery.
Ocean beaches are closed for sport harvesting from April 1 to Oct. 31 each year.
Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxin prior to distribution and should be safe to eat, the state said.
Closures do not apply to shrimp. Crab meat also is not known to contain toxins but the guts can harbor unsafe levels so they must be thoroughly cleaned.
Toxins cannot be detected by sight or smell. 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 calling 800-562-5632.
The emergency regulation hotline is 866-880-5431.
