All of Island County is now closed for the recreational harvest of all shellfish due to biotoxin. This includes all species of shellfish: clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters, snails and other invertebrates.
Crab and shrimp may still be harvested but should be cleaned well and the “guts and butter” not consumed, according to Island County Public Health.
The biotoxin Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning was detected in the waters around Whidbey and Camano islands by the Washington State Department of Health.
The state Department of Health says that it regularly tests bivalve molluscan shellfish and the water in which they grow to ensure the shellfish are safe to eat. The Department of Health also licenses and inspects commercial shellfish operations to make sure shellfish intended for markets and restaurants are harvested, handled, and shipped in a safe and sanitary manner. Visit the Department of Health’s Commercial Shellfish page for more information. For updates on local commercial shellfish, see the Growing Closure Area Report.
It isn’t known how long it may take before the areas reopen to recreational harvesting, according to Island County Public Health Director Shawn Morris.
“Biotoxins don’t harm shellfish, so the level in their tissues will rise until the bloom subsides,” Morris said. “It can be several days to several months or longer before they’re safe to eat again. Closure times may also vary depending on shellfish species.”
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is a naturally occurring marine biotoxin that is produced by some species of microscopic algae. Shellfish eat these algae and can retain the toxin. The more algae the fish eat, the more biotoxin they accumulate.
Early symptoms of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning include tingling of the lips and tongue, which may begin within minutes of eating toxic shellfish or may take an hour or two to develop. Symptoms may progress to tingling of fingers and toes and then loss of control of arms and legs, followed by difficulty in breathing. Some people feel nauseous or experience a sense of floating. If a person consumes enough toxin, muscles of the chest and abdomen become paralyzed, including muscles used for breathing, and the victim can suffocate. Death from Paralytic Shellfish Poison has occurred in less than 30 minutes.
Island County Public Health will update information about shellfish closures online at islandcountywa.gov/644/Shellfish-Advisories.
