Marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning — also known as ‘red tide’ — have been detected in high levels in shellfish samples from multiple stations on the eastern shore of Kitsap County.

The Washington State Department of Health and the Health District has closed shorelines for all species of clams, oysters, and mussels on the east side of Kitsap County from Point Jefferson in Kingston south to Rich Passage.

This closure covers all bays, inlets and passages including Port Madison Bay, Miller Bay, Liberty Bay, Agate Pass, Rich Passage, Sinclair Inlet, and Dyes Inlet.

Samples of mussels collected on Monday from Brownsville contained PSP toxin concentrations of 588 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue. Beaches are closed when the toxin level exceeds 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.