An increase in biotoxins that produce paralytic shellfish poisoning has led to the closure of most beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca to recreational shellfish harvesting.
Clallam County beaches from Low Point Lyre River east to Dungeness Spit and on Discovery Bay have been closed to the harvesting of all species, the state Department of Health announced Thursday.
In Jefferson County, in addition to Discovery Bay, beaches on Kilisut Harbor including Fort Flagler State Park and Mystery Bay also are closed to harvesting of all species.
Sequim Bay is closed to the harvest of butter and varnish clams only.
Ocean beaches are in a seasonal closure.
All species means clams (including geoduck), oysters, mussels and other invertebrates such as the moon snail. All areas are closed for the sport harvest of scallops. The closures do not apply to shrimp, however.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) poisons the nerves and can be fatal within minutes of ingestion.
Symptoms of PSP 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 paralysis.
Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming shellfish should contact a health care provider immediately. For extreme reactions call 911.
For more information, 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.
