Recreational shellfish harvesting on Clallam County’s Strait of Juan de Fuca beaches from Cape Flattery east to the Jefferson County line, including Dungeness Bay, has been closed for all species due to an elevation in the marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.
According to Wednesday’s announcement by the state Department of Health, Sequim Bay and Discovery Bay in Clallam are closed to the harvest of butter and varnish clams only.
In Jefferson County, Discovery Bay and Kilisut Harbor, including Mystery Bay, remain closed to harvesting butter and varnish clams.
Pacific Ocean beaches are under seasonal closure for all species.
Shellfish poisoning
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning 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.
The toxin cannot be detected by sight or smell, the health department said. Neither cooking nor freezing destroys biotoxins.
The all-species closure 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 might remain in the shellfish for years.
More information
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.
