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August 08, 2024
Jefferson County Shellfish Biotoxin Closures <https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1391>
<http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=19554>
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager
Jefferson County Public Health
360-385-9444 ext. 301
Jefferson County, WA. Recent samples of shellfish tested by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) were found to have high levels of the biotoxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish
Poisoning (PSP), and the following locations in Jefferson County are closed for recreational shellfish harvest:
· Discovery Bay including the northern Quimper Peninsula around to Point Hudson
· Admiralty Inlet and East Marrowstone Island
· Kilisut Harbor including Mystery Bay and Fort Flagler State Park
· Oak Bay, Mats Mats Bay and Port Ludlow
The closure includes 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. The status of beaches changes often, so check frequently for the latest conditions. 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.
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Jefferson County Public Health
Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Community
View it on website <https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1391>
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