An elevated level of potentially deadly paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, has been found in a sample from Sequim Bay, the state Department of Health said today.
Sequim Bay already had been closed to recreational shellfish harvesting because of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, or DSP.
PSP, commonly known as “red tide,” is a neurotoxin that can trigger paralysis at high concentrations.
DSP is less serious, but still can cause illness.
It can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and chills. The symptoms typically pass quickly.
Beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Dungeness Spit west to Cape Flattery had been closed earlier because of PSP.
Quilcene, Dabob and Discovery bays also were closed earlier to recreational shellfish harvesting because of DSP.
Seasonal closures for shellfish harvesting are in effect for Pacific Ocean beaches.
Commercially harvested shellfish are sampled separately, and products on the market should be safe to eat, the state has said.
Closures for DSP or PSP include the recreational harvest of clams, including geoducks, oysters, mussels and other invertebrates.
The closures do not apply to shrimp or crab.
