PORT ANGELES — A mussel infestation caused a half-day shutdown of the Feiro Marine Science Center on Sunday, turning away curious visitors midway during the busy Labor Day weekend.
The popular City Pier attraction was back in business Labor Day.
On Sunday morning, seawater pipes feeding the center’s tidepool tanks began to shut down, said Disa Wilson, a Feiro staff naturalist.
Some tanks lost their water feeds, and other tanks suddenly became murky, Wilson said.
By 2 p.m., the staff was spending its time running from tank to tank to restore the water flow as it shut down, and the decision was made to close to the public.
The intake system was examined, and staff members discovered that mussels growing in the pipes that bring the water from Port Angeles Harbor to the tanks were blocked by the shellfish.
Staff members cleared the piping of the unwelcome addition to the center’s collection of marine animals, and the marine center reopened Monday.
“There’s no lasting damage,” Wilson said, and added that none of the tanks’ resident animals was harmed.
Monday was the final day of the marine center’s summer schedule.
Winter hours for the center are noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or by appointment.
Admission is $4 for adults and $1 for youths ages 4 to 17.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
