All beaches in San Juan County closed to recreational shellfish harvesting

DOH has closed recreational shellfish harvesting at all beaches due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP)

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

The Washington State Department of Health has closed recreational shellfish harvesting at all beaches in San Juan County due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP). This closure includes all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters, and snails.

Please check the Washington Shellfish Safety Map or call the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-562-5632 before you dig as PSP levels can change rapidly. 

This county-wide beach closure does not mean that commercial shellfish operations are closed. You can see which commercial areas are currently “closed” at Shellfish Growing Areas Closures (wa.gov) or sign up for alerts here. Commercial growers test shellfish at least weekly for biotoxin levels to protect the health and safety of their customers. They then wait for the test results before harvesting and/or distributing the product. Local growers meet strict biotoxin testing requirements and follow multiple shellfish growing and food safety protocols, such as Vibrio Control Plan Rule Requirements and Shellfish Wet Storage Requirements. They also maintain records of where and when shellfish are harvested and distributed, so that shellfish can be recalled, and, if necessary, alert consumers.

If you experience symptoms of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, please seek medical attention immediately.

About PSP

PSP and other biotoxins are poisons that occur naturally in marine waters; however, certain environmental factors can increase the production of these poisons. Molluscan shellfish that filter feed (shellfish with hinged shells such as oysters, clams, and mussels) can ingest these biotoxins, which remain in their system. Meat from crab and shrimp is not affected, but “crab butter” and entrails should be discarded during PSP advisories as they may contain biotoxins. When PSP concentrations reach unsafe levels in shellfish, ingesting them can cause severe illness or death. Cooking shellfish does not destroy PSP present in their system, and there is no antidote for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning.

San Juan County Health & Community Services works in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health to ensure safe harvesting of recreational shellfish.  Shellfish from different areas of the County are collected on a routine basis from April to October and sent to the Public Health Lab where they are analyzed for biotoxin levels.

PSP levels can change rapidly. HCS will continue to collect samples and monitor biotoxin levels. When levels return to a safe concentration, certain areas will reopen for harvesting. Always check the Shellfish Safety Map or call WA State’s 24-hour hotline at 1-800-562-5632 before harvesting shellfish.

Relevant URLs:

• Washington Shellfish Safety Map
• Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) | Washington State Department of Health
• Shellfish Harvest Planner | Washington State Department of Health
• Shellfish Handling, Storing, and Cooking | Washington State Department of Health
• Public clam, mussel, and oyster beaches | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

About San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services  

San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services is responsible for community and environmental health, mental health and substance abuse programs, senior services, affordable housing projects, and more. The department has staff and offices on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1777/Health-Community-Services.