BREMERTON — Kitsap Public Health District and the state Department of Health have closed shellfish harvesting in Liberty Bay because of high levels of marine biotoxins that cause Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison, or DHP.
Samples of muscles collected on July 13 from the Poulsbo Marina contained DSP toxin concentrations of 59 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue, the health district reported. Shorelines are closed to harvesting when DSP toxin levels exceed 16 micrograms per 100 grams of tissue.
Warning signs have been posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from the closure areas. Existing shellfish closures remain in effect. All Kitsap County shellfish harvesting closures are listed on the Kitsap Public Health District Shellfish Harvesting Advisory webpage.
This closure includes 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. Shellfish harvested commercially that are available in stores and restaurants are tested for toxins prior to distribution, and are safe to eat, the health district reported.
Anyone planning to harvest or consume local, recreationally-harvested shellfish should check the status of shellfish harvesting before consuming any shellfish, the health district reported.
— Kitsap Public Health Shellfish Hotline: 1-800-2BE-WELL (1-800-223-9355)
— Kitsap Public Health Shellfish Advisory webpage (www.kitsappublichealth.org/shellfish)
— Statewide Shellfish Safety Hotline: 1-800-562-5632
About Shellfish Biotoxins
Marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing and can be life-threatening, the health district reported.
People can become ill from eating shellfish contaminated with the naturally occurring marine algae that contains toxins that are harmful to humans. In most cases, the algae that contain the biotoxins cannot be seen and must be detected using laboratory testing. Kitsap Public Health monitors shellfish at Kitsap County beaches and works to notify the public if the level of biotoxins becomes unsafe in other areas.
Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP), Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison (DSP) and Amnesic Shellfish Poison (ASP) are the marine biotoxins commonly found in Washington’s marine waters. PSP closures are most common in Kitsap County. DSP causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, with diarrhea being the most commonly reported symptom.
