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Shellfish harvesting closed for east shoreline of Kitsap County

  • tadsooter
  • Jul 15
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 15

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Tests show high levels of marine biotoxin paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) 


CLOSURE AREA:  East shoreline of Kitsap County, from Foulweather Bluff to Point Southworth, including all bays, inlets, and islands. 

Existing shellfish closures remain in effect. View the state shellfish safety map for the exact closure areas.

SPECIES AFFECTED: 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. 

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Anyone planning to harvest or consume local, recreationally harvested shellfish must first:




1) Check the safety status of shellfish harvesting:

  2) Check the harvest seasons and licensing requirements:

  • Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife website

  • Call 1-866-880-5431 


Symptoms of PSP


Early symptoms include tingling of the lips and tongue, which may begin within minutes of eating toxic shellfish or may take an hour or two to develop. Symptoms may progress to tingling of fingers and toes and then loss of control of arms and legs, followed by difficulty in breathing. Some people feel nauseous or experience a sense of floating. If a person consumes enough toxin, muscles of the chest and abdomen become paralyzed, including muscles used for breathing, and the victim can suffocate. Death from Paralytic Shellfish Poison has occurred in less than 30 minutes.


Shellfish monitoring information


The Kitsap Public Health District, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health and Clean Water Kitsap, test shellfish locations throughout Kitsap County.  Shellfish harvesting is closed when PSP toxin levels meet or exceed 80 micrograms per 100 grams of tissue. For this advisory, samples taken at multiple sites within the closure area on July 14 exceeded the closure limit. 

Warning signs will be posted as soon as possible at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from the closure areas. 


Resources



MEDIA CONTACT:

Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer Kitsap Public Health District360-728-2330 - office | (360) 728-2235 - main pio@kitsappublichealth.org | kitsappublichealth.org

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