PORT TOWNSEND — Marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning have been detected at lethal concentrations in shellfish samples collected from Fort Flagler State Park, the county health department reported Wednesday.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) concentrations have risen to more than 1,000 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue, said Michael Dawson of Jefferson County Environmental Health.
The closure level is 80 micrograms.
For the second time this summer, Port Townsend Bay has been closed for recreational harvesting of all shellfish species. The bay was closed July 19.
The state Department of Health warns the public that consumption of shellfish with such high amounts of toxin is potentially lethal.
“Jefferson County Public Health will continue to test local beaches and will notify the public when shellfish are safe to harvest again,” Dawson said in a news release.
“Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxin prior to distribution and should be safe to eat,” he added.
Danger signs warning people not to consume shellfish from the area have been posted at high-use beaches.
Most beaches on the North Olympic Peninsula are closed for recreational shellfish harvesting.
Currently, the only water bodies in Jefferson County that do not have a biotoxin closure are Oak Bay and Hood Canal, although a vibrio warning to cook all shellfish is posted throughout Hood Canal.
All Clallam County beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca are closed to shellfish harvesting of all species.
Pacific Ocean beaches are closed to shellfish harvesting for the season.
All species of shellfish are affected, including all clams, oysters, mussels and other invertebrates such as moon snails. All areas also are closed to the sport harvest of scallops.
The closure does not apply to shrimp. Crabmeat is not known to contain the biotoxin, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts.
The toxins are created when shellfish are contaminated by algae.
Marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. People can become ill from eating shellfish contaminated with the naturally occurring marine algae containing toxins harmful to humans.
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.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact a health care provider immediately. For extreme reactions, call 9-1-1.
For more information about the closures, go to http://tinyurl.com/PDN-ShellfishToxin.
