Port Townsend Bay reopened for shellfish harvesting

Kilisut Harbor and Mystery Bay now are open to all species except butter and varnish clams.

PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend Bay, including Fort Flagler beaches, has been reopened for recreational shellfishing of all species, the county reported Thursday.

Kilisut Harbor and Mystery Bay now are open to all species except butter and varnish clams, which tend to retain biotoxins longer than other species.

Levels of the marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) have fallen below the recreational closure limit, and the state Department of Health has changed the health status in those areas, the Jefferson County Environmental Health Department said in a news release.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Although the toxin levels in Mystery Bay have improved, the shellfish season at Mystery Bay State Park is closed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife until October.

Discovery Bay remains closed to recreational harvesting of all species of shellfish.

A warning has been issued to cook all shellfish collected on Hood Canal beaches because of the danger of an intestinal illness caused by the vibrio bacteria.

All Clallam County beaches along the Strait of Juan de Fuca are closed to recreational shellfish harvests due to the presence of marine biotoxins.

Sequim Bay is closed due to diarrhetic shellfish poisoning. Other Clallam County beaches have been closed to all species for elevated levels of the marine biotoxin that causes PSP.

Pacific Ocean beaches are under seasonal closure for all species.

Commercially harvested shellfish are tested for toxins prior to distribution and should be safe to eat, the state Department of Health said.

Crab meat has not been known to contain biotoxins, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts (butter).

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning 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 potentially death.

Toxins cannot be detected by sight or smell. Neither cooking nor freezing destroys biotoxins.

Recreational shellfish harvesters can get the latest information before they leave for the beach by visiting www.doh.wa.gov or phoning 800-562-5632.

The emergency regulation hotline is 866-880-5431.

More in News

Caro Tchannie and her daughter Lola Hatch, 9, of Tulallip try a long string of beads at Squatchcon on Thursday at the Vern Burton Community Center gym in Port Angeles. Kevin VanDinter of Port Angeles was one of 60 vendors at the four day event, which continues through Sunday. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Squatchcon underway

Caro Tchannie and her daughter Lola Hatch, 9, of Tulallip try a… Continue reading

Capital budgets include Peninsula

Millions in state funds earmarked

Mike Chapman.
Chapman asks not to employ legislative privilege

State senator removes an exemption to Public Records Act

Port of Port Townsend considering Short’s Farm access

Commissioners aim to balance public, agricultural use

Jefferson library director to start new job May 19

Meet-and-greet event scheduled for May 22

Man taken to hospital after car hits tree

A man was transported to a hospital after a single-car… Continue reading

Bypass roads to be installed at two fish passage sites

Contractors will begin construction of one-lane bypass roads at two… Continue reading

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Stew Cockburn stands in the spring annual section prior to it being for early spring gardeners.
New Dungeness Nursery planted in landscaping industry

Family and their employees work 2-acre location in Sequim

Partnership discussion may violate state law

OMC in Phase 2 of exploratory process

Members of the public take a guided tour at Port Townsend High School on Wednesday. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Townsend school district may seek $90M bond

Tour highlights high school’s infrastructure needs

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port Townsend Marina in an apparent race across the bay on Tuesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Catching the wind

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port… Continue reading