The recreational harvest of molluscan shellfish has been reopened on most Whatcom County beaches, after marine biotoxin levels recently dropped to acceptable levels in county waters.
In June, the recreational harvest of all species of molluscan shellfish was closed, after unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) biotoxin were detected in shellfish on county beaches.
According to a July 5 news release from the Whatcom County health department, recent testing showed that biotoxin levels have dropped since last month, allowing the shellfish harvest to reopen on most Whatcom County beaches.
Some closures remain in effect, however. Sections of Lummi Island remain closed to butter and varnish clam harvest. Point Roberts beaches remain closed to all species of shellfish harvest pending further testing. Bellingham Bay south to the Skagit County line, excluding Chuckanut Bay and Larrabee State Park, remain closed to butter and varnish clam harvest. Meanwhile, parts of Chuckanut Bay and Larrabee State Park are closed due to pollution.
According to the Whatcom County health department, biotoxin levels can change rapidly, so shellfish harvesters are advised to always check for current shellfish closures before harvesting shellfish anywhere in Washington state. Information is available on the Washington Shellfish Safety Map at doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety or by calling the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 800/562-5632.
Molluscan shellfish include clams, mussels, oysters and scallops. Mussels and varnish clams usually contain the highest toxin concentration. PSP and other naturally occurring biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Crab meat is not affected, but “crab butter” and entrails can harbor biotoxins so they should be discarded.
According to the release, shellfish sold in restaurants and markets have been tested before distribution and are safe to eat.
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