QUILCENE — Quilcene Bay is now open for recreational harvesting of all species of shellfish.
The bay had been closed Oct. 3 because of high levels of the marine biotoxin that causes potentially lethal paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).
Ongoing testing of shellfish samples in Quilcene Bay has shown that biotoxins have declined, said Michael Dawson, water quality manager for Jefferson County Public Health, on Friday.
The state Department of Health has removed health advisories for all species of shellfish in Quilcene Bay and county public health officials have removed danger signs posted at public access points in the area.
Other shellfish closures in Jefferson County continue.
Discovery Bay, Fort Flagler, Kilisut Harbor, Mystery Bay, Oak Bay, Mats Mats Bay and Port Ludlow all are closed to the recreational harvest of molluscan shellfish because of high levels of PSP.
In mid-September, the Mystery Bay sample result was 991 micrograms of toxin, which is more than 10 times above the action level of 80 micrograms, and the Fort Flagler sample was more than three times the action level, Dawson said then.
All Clallam County beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca also are closed to harvest of all species of shellfish.
Ocean beaches are closed for the season.
The closure extends to clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of molluscan shellfish.
Crabs are not affected by the closure, Dawson said.
Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxin prior to distribution and should be safe to eat.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning can be fatal for both humans and animals. Illness is caused by eating shellfish contaminated with toxins from the naturally occurring marine plankton Alexandrium.
Symptoms of PSP can appear within minutes or hours and usually begin with tingling lips and tongue, moving to the hands and feet, followed by difficulty breathing and paralysis.
Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming shellfish should contact a health care provider immediately. For extreme reactions, call 9-1-1.
The DOH Shellfish Safety Map has up-to-date information for recreational shellfish harvesting at www.doh.wa.gov/Shellfish Safety.htm.
Recreational harvesters can check state Fish and Wildlife regulations and seasons at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish or the Shellfish Rule Change hotline 1-866-880-5431.
Lake status
Anderson Lake, which has been plagued for more than a decade with high levels of anatoxin-a, is closed to the public with signs warning “Danger, Stay Out of Lake.”
The lake had a heavy bloom of cyanobacteria, which is also known as blue-green algae, on Monday. Toxic algae is present and toxins are present, the county public health department says on its website.
Gibbs, Lake Leland and Crocker Lake all were considered possibly toxic as of Monday. Visitors are told to stay out when in doubt and to avoid areas of scum.
Silent Lake was found to be clear in August. Other lakes said to be clear and safe — Tarboo, Sandy Shore and Teal Laske — have had no recent observations.
