BREMERTON — Recreational shellfish harvesting is closed in Dyes Inlet and Port Washington Narrows after tests found high levels of paralytic shellfish poison, the Kitsap Public Health District said Oct. 20.
The closure covers all species of clams, oysters and mussels. Shrimp and crab are not included, but the health district advises cleaning crab before cooking and throwing out the “crab butter.” Existing shellfish closures in other areas remain in effect.
Paralytic shellfish poison is not destroyed by cooking. Early symptoms include tingling of the lips and tongue, which can start within minutes or take an hour or two, and can progress to loss of control of the arms and legs and difficulty breathing. The health district said death has occurred in less than 30 minutes.
Warning signs will be posted at public beaches in the closure area. Before harvesting anywhere, check the state shellfish safety map at fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html or call the health district’s shellfish hotline at 1-800-223-9355. State Fish and Wildlife seasons and license rules are at wdfw.wa.gov.
Leave a Reply