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Deadly Toxin Shuts Down Washington Shellfish Harvest
17 Jun
Summary
- Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxin found in high levels.
- Emergency closure affects Hood Canal and Admiralty Inlet beaches.
- Toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking; risk of severe illness or death.
State officials have implemented an emergency closure affecting significant shellfish harvesting areas in Western Washington. The closure impacts Hood Canal and portions of Admiralty Inlet due to the detection of elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).
This potentially deadly marine toxin is produced by a species of algae. Officials from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Washington Department of Health (DOH) have warned that PSP cannot be destroyed by cooking, freezing, or cleaning. The toxin is only detectable through laboratory testing.
All public beaches south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point in Admiralty Inlet, and all public beaches within Hood Canal, are now closed to the harvesting of clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. The WDFW stressed that warm temperatures, sunny weather, and low tides expected this weekend could attract visitors to the affected areas.
