PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Environmental Health has partially lifted its closure of shellfish harvesting from Discovery Bay, Sequim Bay and the Strait of Juan de Fuca east of Lyre River to the Jefferson County line.
Strait of Juan de Fuca beaches west of the Lyre River remain closed due to toxin levels, while ocean beaches are seasonally closed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Those areas had been closed to harvesting due to elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poison, a naturally occurring marine biotoxin produced by certain microscopic algae.
All the beaches remain closed to butter and varnish clam harvesting as those species can retain the biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning for up to a year.
Environmental health warns that, while crab meat is safe, toxins can accumulate in crab guts and butter, the white-yellow fat inside the back of the shell.
Crabs should be thoroughly cleaned, and the crab butter and guts should be discarded.
For the most up-to-date fisheries information, call Fish and Wildlife at 360-902-2700 or visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/shellfish-beaches.
For a map of safe shellfish harvest areas, visit www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.htm or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.
