PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Public Health has lifted its closure of shellfish harvesting from Port Townsend Bay, Marrowstone Island, Kilisut Harbor and Mystery Bay.
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.
Clammers should note that the state Department of Fish and Wildlife recreational shellfish season is closed at Mystery Bay State Park.
Also, the portion of Chimacum Tidelands/Irondale Beach Park south of the mouth of Chimacum Creek remains closed due to persistent bacterial pollution from Irondale Creek.
Both Discovery Bay and Sequim Bay are currently closed to all shellfish harvesting.
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.
