PORT ANGELES — Beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the Lyre River east to the Jefferson County line — with exception Sequim and Discovery bays — have been reopened to recreational shellfish harvest, the state Department of Health has announced.
In January, the department reopened beaches from Cape Flattery east to the Lyre River.
The most recent change was announced by the Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services on Friday.
Sequim Bay and Discovery Bay beaches remain closed to harvesting of all species of shellfish.
Kilisut Harbor, including Mystery Bay and Port Ludlow including Mats Mats Bay in Jefferson County are open to all species except butter clams and varnish clams.
Ocean beaches are under an extended seasonal closure.
Closures include clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of molluscan shellfish. Crab meat is not known to contain the marine biotoxins that lead to shellfish poisoning, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, the crab should be cleaned thoroughly with the guts discarded.
Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxins prior to distribution and are safe to eat, according to the Department of Health.
Marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing.
For more information about the closures, go to http://tinyurl.com/PDN-ShellfishToxin.
