The southeast side of Whidbey Island  has been closed to the recreational harvest of all species of shellfish because of marine biotoxin concentrations.

The closure area runs from Strawberry Point to Possession Point on the west side of Whidbey Island, including all of Holmes Harbor. Penn Cove west of Blowers Bluff on the north and Snakelum Point on the south is not included.

Beaches on the west side of Whidbey from Admiralty Head south to Possession Point remain closed to all species of shellfish.

The closure includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other molluscan shellfish species.

Crab is not included in the closure, but people are advised to clean crabs before cooking and to eat only the meat. Recreational shellfish harvesters should check the DOH website at doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/biotoxin.htm before harvesting any shellfish.