SEQUIM — Recreational harvesting at Sequim Bay has been closed for all species due to an elevation in the marine biotoxin that causes diarrhetic shellfish poisoning.
According to Friday’s announcement by the state Department of Health, Discovery Bay remains closed for harvesting butter and varnish clams.
Beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Cape Flattery east to the Jefferson County line are open, but Pacific Ocean beaches are under seasonal closure.
Sequim Bay had been open to species except butter and varnish clams, harvest of which had been closed due to high levels of the marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).
Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, known as DSP, sickens people with okadaic acid, a biotoxin produced by algae that the shellfish eat and concentrate.
Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning produces nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, with the latter being the most common symptoms.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning occurs when people ingest saxitoxin, also produced by algae eaten by shellfish.
It affects the nervous system and can be fatal. Symptoms 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.
Can’t detect by sight, smell
Neither variety of toxin can be detected by sight or smell, the health department said. Neither cooking nor freezing destroys biotoxins.
The all-species closure at Sequim Bay and Pacific beaches means clams — including geoduck — oysters, mussels and moon snails.
Shrimp and crab meat does not accumulate biotoxins, although crab guts — sometimes called butter — can contain unsafe levels.
People preparing crab are urged to clean them thoroughly and discard the butter.
Butter clams especially concentrate biotoxins, which may remain in the shellfish for years.
Latest info online
Recreational shellfish harvesters can get the latest information before they leave for the beach by visiting www.doh.wa.gov or phoning 800-562-5632.
Health-related closures are in addition to seasonal closures regulated by Fish and Wildlife, found at www.wdfw.wa.gov.
The emergency regulation hotline is 866-880-5431.
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Reporter James Casey can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jcasey@peninsuladailynews.com.
