BREMERTON — Marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) have been detected in very high levels in shellfish samples from the Liberty Bay Marina in Poulsbo, according to the Kitsap Public Health District.
As a result, the state Department of Health and the Kitsap Public Health District have expanded the biotoxin closure area on the west shoreline of Bainbridge Island from Point White north to Point Monroe, and on the east shoreline of the Kitsap mainland from Point Jefferson south to Illahee State Park, including all bays and inlets (including Liberty Bay and Miller Bay). The closure affects recreational harvesting of all species of clams, oysters, and mussels, the health district reported.
Samples of mussels collected on July 28 from Liberty Bay Marina contained PSP toxin concentrations of 747 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue, the health district reported. Shorelines are closed to harvesting when toxin levels exceed 80 micrograms per 100 grams of tissue.
Existing biotoxin closures for all species of shellfish are in effect for butter clams and varnish clams on Kitsap County’s eastern shoreline from Point No Point in Hansville south to the south shoreline of Bainbridge Island. Closures for varnish clams remain in effect for Yukon Harbor and Colvos Passage to the Pierce County line. Warning signs have been posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from the closure areas.
Shrimp and crab are not included in this closure, but crabs should be cleaned prior to cooking, and the “crab butter” should be discarded, the health district reported. Shellfish harvested commercially that are available in stores and restaurants are tested for toxins prior to distribution and are safe to eat, the health district reported.
Marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing and can be life-threatening. People can become ill from eating shellfish contaminated with the naturally occurring marine algae that contains toxins that are harmful to humans. 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 potentially death. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact a health care provider. For extreme reactions, call 911.
In most cases, the algae that contain the toxins cannot be seen and must be detected using laboratory testing. The Kitsap Public Health District will continue to monitor shellfish at Kitsap County beaches, and notify the public if the levels of PSP toxin become unsafe in other areas.
For current shellfish closures within Kitsap County, call the hotline number at 1-800-2BE-WELL, or visit www.kitsappublichealth.org. For closures in other areas of Washington, call the state Department of Health’s red tide hotline at 1-800-562-5632, or visit www.doh.wa.gov.
