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615 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org
Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality
360-385-9400 360-385-9444
360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487
October 13, 2017
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michael Dawson
Jefferson County Environmental Health
(360) 385-9444 ext. 301
Oak Bay Closed Due to Marine Biotoxins; Other Areas Open
Port Townsend – Shellfish from Oak Bay have been found to have high levels of the toxin that
causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), and the area has been closed by the Washington
State Department of Health. Warning signs have been posted at public beaches. The closure
includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of molluscan shellfish.
Toxin levels in Port Townsend Bay and the northern portion of Hood Canal have improved, and
some recreational shellfish beaches there have re-opened. Kilisut Harbor and Mystery Bay are
closed for butter and varnish clams only; other species there are now harvestable.
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 are 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 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 or call the Shellfish Rule Change Hotline 1-866-880-5431.
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Always Working for a Safer & Healthier Jefferson County