PORT ANGELES — The recreational harvest of all types of shellfish has reopened along the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Clallam County from the Lyre River and Low Point east to Dungeness Spit.
Previously, all Clallam County beaches along the Strait of Juan de Fuca were closed to harvesting.
The state Department of Health announced the change Monday after recent tests for marine biotoxins in shellfish came back meeting safety guidelines.
All Clallam beaches west of Lyre River and east of Dungeness Spit, including Sequim and Discovery bays, remain closed to the harvest of all species.
The exception is Dungeness Bay, where there are no shellfish closures in effect.
In Jefferson County, Discovery Bay is closed to all species, while Kilisut Harbor, including Mystery Bay, continues to be closed to harvesting butter clams and varnish clams only.
A seasonal closure is in effect on all Pacific Ocean beaches in both counties.
Commercially harvested shellfish are tested for toxins prior to distribution and should be safe to eat.
Danger signs are posted or will be posted at commonly used public access points where beaches are closed to harvesting.
A closure of all species means people should not harvest clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of molluscan shellfish.
Crab meat is not known to contain the biotoxin, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. Clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts (also known as the “butter”).
Marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing.
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning, caused by marine biotoxins, 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 potentially death.
Recreational shellfish harvesters should check the shellfish safety map at www.doh.wa.gov/Shellfish
Safety.htm or call the biotoxin hotline at 800-562-5632 before harvesting shellfish anywhere in the state.
Recreational harvesters should also check Fish and Wildlife regulations and seasons at www.wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish or call the hotline at 866-880-5431.
