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Port Townsend, WA 98368
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August 23th, 2017
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Stuart Whitford, Director
Jefferson County Environmental Health & Water Quality
(360) 385-9444 x411
Admiralty Inlet South to Kinney Point on Marrowstone Island Closed Due to Marine Biotoxins
Port Townsend – Shellfish samples from Admiralty Inlet have been found to contain elevated levels of
marine biotoxins that cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). As a result, the Washington State
Department of Health (DOH) has closed Admiralty Inlet including areas south to Kinney Point on
Marrowstone Island for recreational shellfish harvest. Danger signs are being posted at public access
points warning people not to consume shellfish from this area.
The closure includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of molluscan shellfish and
extends a previous closure that covered only butter and varnish clams. Discovery Bay and the Strait of
Juan de Fuca east to McCurdy (Middle) Point closed in June. Kilisut Harbor and Mystery Bay closed in
July. Crabmeat is not known to contain the biotoxin but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe,
clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts (also known as the “butter”). Shellfish harvested
commercially are tested for toxins prior to distribution and should be safe to eat.
Marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. People can become ill from eating shellfish
contaminated with the naturally occurring marine algae containing toxins harmful to humans.
Symptoms of PSP can appear within minutes or hours and usually begins with tingling lips and tongue,
moving to the hands and feet, followed by difficulty breathing, and potentially death. Anyone
experiencing these symptoms should contact a health care provider immediately. For extreme reactions
call 911.
In most cases the algae that contain the toxins cannot be seen, and must be detected using laboratory
testing. Therefore, recreational shellfish harvesters should check the DOH Shellfish Safety Map at
doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm or call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 before harvesting
shellfish anywhere in Washington State. Recreational harvesters should also check Fish and Wildlife
regulations and seasons at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish or call the Shellfish Rule Change Hotline 1-866-
880-5431.
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Jefferson County Public Health
Always working for a safer and healthier community