Home / Health / Shellfish Alert: Toxins Close Budd Inlet Waters
Shellfish Alert: Toxins Close Budd Inlet Waters
7 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Recreational shellfish harvesting in Budd Inlet is closed due to high marine biotoxin levels.
- Unsafe levels of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) were detected by health officials.
- Consuming contaminated shellfish can cause severe illness, and cooking does not neutralize the toxins.
Thurston County has closed recreational shellfish harvesting in Budd Inlet following the detection of elevated marine biotoxin levels. The Public Health and Social Services Department confirmed unsafe concentrations of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP), necessitating a pause in all harvesting activities. This closure aims to protect public health from potential illness.
The discovery of high DSP levels by health officials triggers immediate action to prevent exposure. These potent toxins originate in plankton and accumulate in shellfish, posing a severe risk to consumers. Symptoms can range from nausea and abdominal pain to more severe health consequences, with cooking offering no protection against the poison.
