BREMERTON — Kitsap Public Health District and the state Department of Health have closed shellfish harvesting in Hood Canal from Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor south to the Mason County line because of high levels of marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP.
Samples of mussels collected on May 26 from the Seabeck Marina contained PSP toxin concentrations of 87 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. Warning signs have been posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from the closure areas.
This closure includes all recreational shellfish harvesting for all species of clams, oysters, and mussels. Shrimp and crab are not included in this closure, but crabs should be cleaned prior to cooking, and the “crab butter” should be discarded. Shellfish harvested commercially that are available in stores and restaurants are tested for toxins prior to distribution, and are safe to eat.
About PSP
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. Kitsap Public Health 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 details on all shellfish closures in Kitsap County, call 1-800-2BE-WELL (1-800-223-9355) or go to www.kitsappublichealth.org. For information on shellfish closures throughout the state, call the state Department of Health Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 or go to www.doh.wa.gov.
To receive shellfish harvesting or other Kitsap Public Health District updates via email or text message, go to www.kitsappublichealth.org or www.kitsapgov.com and sign-up for Kitsap Public Health District electronic notifications.
