More Peninsula beaches closed to shellfish harvesting due to toxins

Most of the Clallam County beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca have been closed to recreational shellfish harvest because of marine biotoxins.

All beaches from Dungeness Spit west to Low Point-Lyre River are closed. However, the beaches west of the Lyre River to Cape Flattery are open to recreational harvesting of all species of shellfish.

Sequim Bay is closed for all species. Discovery Bay is closed only to the harvesting of butter and varnish clams.

In Jefferson County, also closed only for harvesting of those two types of clams are Fort Flagler State Park, Killisut Harbor and Mystery Bay.

Ocean beaches are closed for sport harvesting from April 1 to Oct. 31 each year.

Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxin prior to distribution and should be safe to eat, the state said.

The closure does not apply to shrimp. Crab meat also is not known to contain toxins but the guts can harbor unsafe levels so they must be thoroughly cleaned.

Species that are not to be harvested are clams — including geoduck — oysters, mussels and other invertebrates such as the moon snail.

All areas are closed to the harvest of scallops.

Toxins cannot be detected by sight or smell. Neither cooking nor freezing destroys biotoxins.

Recreational shellfish harvesters can get the latest information before they leave for the beach by visiting www.doh.wa.gov or calling 800-562-5632.

The emergency regulation hotline is 866-880-5431.

More in News

Port Angeles teachers’ union votes to honor paraeducators’ picket line on April 8

Members of the Port Angeles Education Association voted overwhelmingly… Continue reading

Funding needed for Port Townsend homeless shelter

Operation at Legion Hall to close April 30

Port of Port Angeles renews lease for Composite Recycling Technology Center

Agreement covers 26,000 square feet at airport business park

Fire district volunteers lauded

Clallam County Fire District No. 3 recently recognized seven members… Continue reading

Clallam to continue providing deputy to Forks

Contract includes wages, mileage and maintenance reimbursement

Maintenance closes section of Olympic Discovery Trail

A portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail is closed… Continue reading

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif., members of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and working with the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Board, remove poisonous hemlock weed from along the Larry Scott Trail in Port Townsend on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Poison hemlock removal in Port Townsend

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif.,… Continue reading

YMCA to build childcare facility

$1-2M still needed for $6.7M project

Port Townsend Police Department recognizes award recipients

The Port Townsend Police Department recognized officers, employees, volunteers… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School evacuated due to bomb threat

Nothing suspicious found, principal says

A tree that has grown out of its tree box and shattered a nearby curb and sidewalk in the 100 block of North Oak Street is among those targeted for removal and replacement in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles tree and sidewalk replacement to begin Monday

The Port Angeles downtown tree and sidewalk replacement project… Continue reading

Grant for Forks treatment plant to be discussed

The Clallam County Opportunity Fund Advisory Board will discuss… Continue reading