The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) expanded its recreational shellfish harvest closure to all beaches in Whatcom County.
On June 9, the DOH closed the recreational harvest of molluscan shellfish in Point Roberts, and from Sandy Point North to the Canadian border due to elevated levels of biotoxin. Today’s announcement expands the closure to all beaches in the county, including all of Larrabee State Park and all of Point Roberts.
Unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxin are now being found in waters across the county, according to a Thursday Whatcom County Health Department press release.
“The Whatcom County Health Department will continue to monitor biotoxins in molluscan shellfish,” the press release stated. “We will notify the public when there is a change in biotoxin levels that may affect public health.”
Varnish clams and mussels generally contain the highest levels of toxin concentration, but all clams, mussels, oysters and scallops could be impacted. “Crab butter” and entrails could also contain toxins.
Freezing or cooking does not eliminate paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxins, the Health Department said.
These biotoxins can cause illness and death, which can occur as soon as 30 minutes after consumption.
Symptoms can include numbness and tingling of the lips and tongue, loss of control of arms and legs, difficulty breathing, nausea and paralysis in chest and abdominal muscles, leading to suffocation.
Shellfish sold in restaurants and markets are safe to eat due to testing before distribution.
