A massive influx of red tide at levels not seen in at least a decade is inundating shellfish in Clallam County sea waters with potentially lethal levels of paralytic shellfish poison — and the toxin may be moving east toward Jefferson County, state public health officials say.
The discovery of high levels of the marine toxin — called PSP, which causes breathing difficulties — prompted the closure last week of all beaches along the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Dungeness Spit to Cape Flattery to recreational harvest — ocean beaches already being closed for the season.
A commercial geoduck harvest tract used by both the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe and the state Department of Natural Resources also was closed after the toxin level was tested there, said Greg Combs of the state Department of Health Office of Shellfish and Water Protection on Friday.
“It’s pretty bad compared to recent history” of the last 10 to 15 years, Combs said.
“It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a bloom like this occur.”
Levels of toxin ranged from more than 1,000 micrograms to more than 3,000 micrograms in samples from Clallam County beaches last week.
Shellfish harvesting is closed when PSP levels reach 80 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue.
The level of PSP found approaches the amount measured in shellfish when three Lower Elwha Kallam tribal members died after eating poisoned butter clams and mussels in 1942 — the last time any deaths from the toxin were recorded in the state, Combs said.
The level then was 3,500 milligrams.
Commercial products available on the market should be safe to eat because of regular testing of commercial facilities, the state health department said.
Recreational harvest closures also are in effect in Whatcom County.
An update is expected mid-week.
High levels of the marine toxin have not been discovered in shellfish on East Jefferson County beaches, Combs said.
“We don’t have problems in Jefferson County,” Combs said, although continuing closures are in effect for butter clams at the entrance to Port Ludlow and between Marrowstone and Indian islands.
The algae that causes PSP “hasn’t traveled there yet,” Combs said, adding that he doesn’t know what subsequent tests will find.
However, another researcher with the department said, after viewing the results of tests on Friday, that it may be moving that way.
Last week, a sample from Second Beach in LaPush contained more than 3,600 micrograms. Test results received Friday found that the level had dropped to a still-dangerous 2,600 micrograms, said Jerry Borchert of the state office.
At the same time, the level of toxin skyrocketed in a geoduck tract at Seibert Creek near Dungeness.
On Tuesday, researchers measured 128 micrograms. On Wednesday, the toxin level was 1,543, Combs said.
“That’s the one that’s bumped up radically,” he said. “In 24 hours they waled.”
Borchert said the decrease on the West Coast and the increase at Dungeness may mean that the red tide is moving toward Puget Sound.
“It seems that the PSP bloom is pretty intense and seems to be moving east,” he said Friday.
“It may continue to move east or it may stop.
“It could potentially move into Puget Sound and it could potentially impact Jefferson County.”
Levels are high throughout Clallam County.
A sample tested Wednesday at Freshwater Bay contained 3,438 micrograms.
“That’s lethal,” Combs said.
An Ediz Hook sample, tested the same day, contained 1,966 micrograms.
“If that’s not lethal, then it’s darn close,” Combs said, and could be fatal if ingested on top of an existing medical condition.
A Sekiu sample tested at 1,603 micrograms on Tuesday.
The state closures were just before a license-free weekend for fishing and shellfish harvesting.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is allowing legal fishing and harvesting without a license through today.
“That’s why when we started seeing these levels, we decided . . . to go ahead with a press release as the best way to get information out to Clallam and Whatcom counties,” Combs said.
The closure includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, and other species of mollusks.
Crab meat is not known to contain the PSP toxin, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts.
PSP, often referred to as red tide, is caused by an algae called alexandrium cantella. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing.
Common symptoms of PSP poisoning include tingly lips and tongue moving to the hands and feet which may begin within minutes of eating the shellfish.
If a person consumes enough poison, muscles of the chest and abdomen become paralyzed. Death can result in as little as two hours.
A person cannot tell if the toxin is present by looking. PSP can be detected only by laboratory testing.
A variety of factors may have caused the algae bloom, Combs said.
One factor could be warmer ocean water, he said. Another could be an increase of nutrients, which tend to go through “boom and bust” cycles, he said.
These health-related closures are in addition to closures regulated by Fish and Wildlife. The department’s emergency regulation hotline is 1-866-880-5431.
Recreational shellfish harvesters should phone 1-800-562-5632 or check www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.htm before harvesting shellfish anywhere in Washington state, the state health department said.
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Managing Editor/News Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3531 or leah.leach@peninsuladailynews.com.
