PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Public Health has lifted its closure of shellfish harvesting from Oak Bay.
The area had been closed to harvesting due to elevated levels of the biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Paralytic shellfish poison is a naturally occurring marine biotoxin produced by certain microscopic algae.
Shellfish that eat the algae can retain the toxin.
Marine biotoxins are heat stable and will not be eliminated by cooking or freezing.
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning can occur within minutes to hours of consumption and start with tingling of the lips and tongue, progressing to the hands and feet, followed by difficulty breathing and, potentially, death.
People experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
Recent samples of clams, oysters and mussels all showed biotoxin levels below the closure limit, according to a press release from the public health department.
Public health has removed warning signs from public access points at the Portage Canal, Oak Bay County Park, South Indian Island County Park and Isthmus Beach.
Clam diggers should note that, although clams are now safe to harvest from Oak Bay County Park, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s recreational shellfish season at the park has closed.
The seasons at Portage Canal and South Indian Island will close at the end of June.
Isthmus Beach and West Oak Bay beach have year-round seasons; West Oak Bay beach is only accessible by boat.
For the most up-to-date fisheries information, call Fish and Wildlife at 360-902-2700 or visit https:// wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/shellfish-beaches.
For a map of safe shellfish harvest areas, visit www.doh.wa.gov/Shellfish Safety.htm or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.
