PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend and Admiralty Inlet beaches have been closed to recreational shellfish harvesting because of a rapid increase in the marine biotoxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning.
Most beaches in Clallam and Jefferson counties were closed to shellfish harvesting last week.
Shellfish harvesting of all species is closed in Clallam County along the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Cape Flattery east to the Jefferson County line, and in Jefferson County, Oak Bay, Port Ludlow, including Mats Mats Bay and Kilisut Harbor, including Fort Flagler State Park and Mystery Bay.
The closure includes Sequim Bay, which last week was open to butter and varnish clams only, and Discovery Bay.
Ocean beaches are closed for the season.
The closure includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of molluscan shellfish.
Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxin prior to distribution.
Crab meat is not known to contain the biotoxin but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts (sometimes called the “crab butter”).
Marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. People can become ill from eating shellfish contaminated with the naturally occurring marine algae.
Symptoms of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) can appear within minutes or hours and usually begins with tingling lips and tongue, moving to the hands and feet, followed by difficulty breathing, and potentially death. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact a health care provider immediately. For extreme reactions call 9-1-1.
In most cases the toxic algae cannot be seen, and must be detected by a laboratory. So recreational shellfish harvesters are urged to call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 800-562-5632, or visit the Department of Health’s Shellfish Safety website at www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety before harvesting anywhere in the state.
