HomeMy WebLinkAbout062624 email - Press Release_ Port Ludlow and Mats Mats Bay Closed for ShellfishingJefferson County, WA. Recent shellfish samples tested by the Washington Department of Health (DOH) have found high levels of the biotoxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).
Therefore, DOH has closed Port Ludlow and Mats Mats Bay for the recreational harvest of all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, oysters, mussels and scallops. Jefferson
County Public Health has posted Danger signs at public access points in the area. Crab and shrimp are not included in the closure. Even if the crab meat is safe, toxins can accumulate
in crab gut and butter (the white-yellow fat inside the back of the shell). Clean crab thoroughly and avoid eating the crab butter and guts.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning can be fatal. Illness is caused by eating shellfish contaminated with toxins from the naturally occurring marine plankton Alexandrium. The biotoxin is not
destroyed by cooking or freezing. Symptoms of PSP 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 paralysis. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming shellfish should contact a health care provider immediately. For extreme reactions, call 911.
To find out which areas are safe to harvest shellfish in Washington and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) harvesting seasons and rules, please check the map at www.doh.wa.gov/Shellf
ishSafety.htm or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632. For the latest information on regulations and seasons, visit wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/shellfish-beaches or call WDFW Fish
Program customer service at 360-902-2700.
To see this press release on our website, visit: Port Ludlow and Mats Mats Bay Closed for Shellfishing <https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1371>
To share this press release on Facebook, visit: Port Ludlow and Mats Mats Bay Closed for Shellfishing <https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=784714150506183&set=a.163387039305567>
To see this press release on our Instagram, visit: Port Ludlow and Mats Mats Bay Closed for Shellfishing <https://www.instagram.com/p/C8sEPFUh1WA/>
Jordan Carter
Gender Pronouns: she/her/hers
Communications Specialist
Jefferson County Public Health
615 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Main: 360-385-9400
Direct: 360-379-4478
jcarter@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:landerson@co.jefferson.wa.us> | https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/
<https://www.instagram.com/jeffcopublichealth_wa/> <https://www.facebook.com/jeffersoncountypublichealth/>
Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Jefferson County
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any
unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the
original message.
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT NOTICE: All e-mail sent to this address has been received by the Jefferson County e-mail system and is therefore subject to the Public Records Act, a state law found
at RCW 42.56. Under the Public Records law the County must release this e-mail and its contents to any person who asks to obtain a copy (or for inspection) of this e-mail unless it
is exempt from disclosure under state law, including RCW 42.56