Red Tide hits record highs

Published 9:00 am Saturday, September 2, 2006

Instances of Red Tide — marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) — have reached unprecedented levels and have halted shellfish harvests throughout Kitsap County.

“We’re trying to increase public awareness so this is taken seriously,” said Shawn Ultican, an Environmental Health Specialist with the Kitsap County Health District.

PSP toxins are at a dangerous level when they reach 80 micrograms, causing a shutdown in shellfish harvesting and posting of all beaches. The most recent sampling, released Aug. 24, showed extreme levels at Kingston Marina (6,827 micrograms) and Miller Bay (12,914 micrograms). Other high levels were found in Port Gamble Bay, Poulsbo Marina, Manchester, Port Orchard Marina and Brownsville.

Subsequent sampling has determined that Red Tide increases have not made their way into Hood Canal. Ultican called this “good news, although you never know after the kind of weather we’ve been having.”

Red Tide is primarily a natural phenomenon, caused by toxins produced in late-blooming algae. Shellfish consume the plankton, accumulating levels of toxins poisonous to any warm-blooded animal that eats the shellfish.

Ultican said the PSP increase in plankton results from an increased nutrient level in the water. And an increase in nutrients can be attributed to impure water entering Puget Sound.

“People need to be aware of the amount of nutrients they put into the soil,” he said. “They have to measure the amount of fertilizer they’re using and make sure their septic systems are in good working order.”

The effects of PSP toxins are limited to actually consuming the shellfish. People can swim through the contaminated plankton and feel no effect.

The previous shellfish closures are still in effect, covering the entire eastern side of Kitsap County, including all public and private beaches, from Point No Point south to the Pierce County line.

This closure includes Miller Bay, Liberty Bay, Dyes Inlet and Sinclair Inlet. The closure is for all species of clams, oysters, and mussels. Warning signs have been posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from these areas.

Shrimp and crab are not included in this closure, but crabs should be cleaned prior to cooking, and the internal organs should be discarded. Shellfish harvested commercially for stores and restaurants are tested for toxins prior to distribution and are safe to eat.

Despite several cases of PSP poisoning in 2000, Ultican said there have been no PSP fatalities reported in Washington State since 1942. He said local fatalities were rare because Puget Sound beaches are in close proximity to medical help.

“There are still deaths from eating poisoned shellfish in Alaska and northern Canada,” he said. “They’re several hours away from the nearest hospital and can’t get medical help in time.”

For more information about current shellfish closures within Kitsap County, call (800) 223-9355 or visit www.kitsapcountyhealth.com.