BREAKING: Similk Bay, Skagit Bay, county islands closed to recreational shellfish harvests for forseeable future

UPDATE, Thursday, Aug. 8

This afternoon the Skagit County Health Department posted a press release with these additional closures:

"Due to recent samples of shellfish containing elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins, the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) has closed recreational harvest for all shellfish species in the following areas:

" Samish Bay, Guemes, Cypress, Sinclair. Vendovi, Hat and Saddlebag islands [and] Padilla Bay."

Read the complete press release: https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/Home/press/080824.htm.

Recent samples of shellfish containing elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins caused the Washington State Department of Health to close recreational harvest for all shellfish species at Similk Bay and Skagit Bay on July 26.

Cypress, Guemes and Sinclair islands were closed Aug. 6

Samples of mussels collected from Madrona Beach, South Elger Bay and Penn Cove contained more than 270 micrograms PSP/100 grams of shellfish tissue. These sample results, in addition to PSP increases in the San Juans and concerning toxin levels in Skagit mussels led to the closures. The action level for PSP closures in Washington is any sample in exceedance of 80 micrograms PSP/100 grams of shellfish tissue.

The closures are expected to last for awhile due to high temperatures this summer, said Samantha Russell, staff with the Skagit County Department of Public Health.

Molluscan shellfish include clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters and snails. PSP and other naturally occurring biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Crab meat is not affected, but “crab butter” and crab entrails can contain biotoxins and should be discarded during PSP advisories. Algae that contain the toxins cannot be seen and must be detected by laboratory testing.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning closures are impacting most coastal communities in the state. Sampling determines closures being lifted or expanded. Biotoxin levels can change rapidly. Shellfish harvesters are advised to “Know Before You Dig.”

Always check for closures at the shellfish safety map, the best source. Call the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.

Early symptoms of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning can set in within 30 minutes of shellfish consumption and may include: numbness and tingling around the lips/tongue, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, numbness in arms/legs, muscular paralysis or coordination loss, dizziness and incoherence, headache, rapid pulse and/or respiratory distress. If you experience any of these symptoms after eating shellfish, have someone take you to the emergency room immediately or call 911.

For shellfish-related illness prevention information go to https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/shellfish/recreational-shellfish/illness-prevention.

At Skagit County Public Health, contact Samantha Russell: [email protected], (360) 416-1566.

Source: Skagit County government