The Washington Department of Health has issued an immediate closure of harvesting from beaches in Clallam County after samples collected this week tested for elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxin.
All species are closed for harvest on ocean beaches and on beaches along the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Dungeness Spit to Cape Flattery. Sequim Bay and Discovery Bay are only closed to harvest of butter clams.
From the DOH press release:
All species means clams (including geoduck), oyster, mussels and other invertebrates such as the moon snail. All areas are closed for the sport harvest of scallops. These closures do not apply to shrimp. Crabmeat is not known to contain the PSP toxin, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts (butter).
It is important to know the difference between butter clams and other species of clams. Butter clams have the ability to retain PSP toxin for a very long time – up to a year or more. Areas may be closed for the sport harvest of butter clams when all other species are safe and open.
For more information about this closure, call the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632, or visit the Department of Health’s Marine Biotoxin Website at http://ww4.doh.wa.gov/gis/biotoxin.htm.
For additional information, call the Clallam County Environmental Health Food Safety Program at 360-417-2328.
