FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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 (in exceedance of 80 micrograms PSP/100 grams of shellfish tissue), the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) has closed recreational harvest for all shellfish species in the following area:
Closures for recreational harvest of butter and varnish clams have also been issued in the following areas:
- West Fidalgo Island, Cypress Island, Sinclair Island, and Guemes Island, except the southern shoreline from Kelly’s Point east to Long Bay
The closure of Samish Bay for all species of shellfish includes 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 counties 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 environmental health staff at eh@co.skagit.wa.us or call (360) 416-1500.
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