FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Additional Recreational Shellfish Harvest Closures Issued in Skagit County Due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) Toxins
Due to recent samples of shellfish containing elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins, the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) has closed recreational harvest for all shellfish species in the following areas:
- Samish Bay
- Guemes, Cypress, Sinclair and Vendovi Islands
- Hat and Saddlebag Islands
- Padilla Bay
As a reminder, closures have also been issued for Similk Bay and Skagit Bay.
Recent shellfish samples collected from Madrona Beach, South Elger Bay, and Penn Cove contained more than 600 micrograms PSP/100 grams of shellfish tissue. These sample results, in addition to PSP increases in the San Juans and concerning toxin levels in Skagit mussels and oysters led to the closures. The action level for PSP closures in Washington is any sample in exceedance of 80 micrograms PSP/100 grams of shellfish tissue.
Molluscan shellfish include clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters and snails. PSP and other naturally occurring biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Crab meat is not affected, but “crab butter” and crab entrails can contain biotoxins and should be discarded during PSP advisories. Algae that contain the toxins cannot be seen and must be detected by laboratory testing.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning closures are currently impacting most coastal communities in Washington State. Continued sampling will determine when closures will be lifted or expanded. Biotoxin levels can change rapidly. Shellfish harvesters are advised to “Know Before You Dig”. Always check for closures by visiting the Shellfish Safety Map or calling the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.
Early symptoms of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning can set in within 30 minutes of shellfish consumption and may include: numbness and tingling around the lips/tongue, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, numbness in arms/legs, muscular paralysis or coordination loss, dizziness and incoherence, headache, rapid pulse, and/or respiratory distress. If you experience any of these symptoms after eating shellfish, have someone take you to the Emergency Room immediately or call 911 for assistance.
For more information about preventing shellfish-related illnesses, visit WA DOH’s webpage. For questions, please contact Sam Russell at [email protected] or call (360) 416-1500.
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