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 paralytic shellfish poison, a naturally occurring marine biotoxin produced by certain microscopic algae.
Recent shellfish samples taken from Oak Bay indicate that the level of biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning has dropped below the closure limit for all species of clams, oysters and mussels.
Although Jefferson County Public Health has removed warning signs from public access points at the Portage Canal, South Indian Island County Park and Isthmus Beach, shellfishers should note that the state Department of Fish and Wildlife recreational shellfish season is closed at Oak Bay County Park, and that Portage Canal and South Indian Island seasons close at the end of June.
The Isthmus Beach season is year-round and West Oak Bay beach, which is only accessible by boat, is open year-round.
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/ShellfishSafety.htm or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.
