PORT ANGELES — The state Department of Health has closed Dungeness Bay, Sequim Bay and Discovery Bay to recreational shellfish harvesting because of the continuing “red tide.”
All other beaches along the Strait of Juan de Fuca already had been closed to the harvesting of clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, geoducks and other molluscan shellfish because of elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, toxin.
Eating contaminated shellfish can paralyze breathing muscles and lead to suffocation.
Shrimp and crab meat is not known to contain the biotoxin, but crab guts can contain unsafe levels.
To be safe, clean a crab thoroughly.
Commercial shellfish purchased through legal channels is perfectly safe, said Dr. Tom Locke, public health officer for Clallam and Jefferson counties, because it is rigorously tested.
Port Townsend and Port Hadlock-area beaches are closed to recreational shellfish harvesting because of high levels of biotoxins.
The state Department of Health has issued a recreational shellfish harvesting advisory for beaches along the Hood Canal.
There have been two red tide-related deaths in Alaska but none in Washington state.
The state’s last red tide deaths were in 1942, when three Lower Elwha Klallam tribal members died after eating poisoned butter clams and mussels.
Locke has said that butter clams can remain toxic for an unusual amount of time.
He has said that this year’s red tide is one of the largest in a decade, and that it would last through the summer months.
Recreational shellfish harvesters should check the state health department website at www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/biotoxin.htm or phone the health department’s biotoxin hot line at 800-562-5632 before harvesting shellfish anywhere in the state.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.