Shellfish toxins close all Skagit beaches to harvesting

Unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins have prompted the Washington Department of Health to close all beaches in Skagit County to recreational harvesting of all species of shellfish.

This includes clams, geoduck, oysters, mussels, scallops and other invertebrates such as the moon snail. Crab meat is not affected, but “crab butter” and crab entrails can harbor biotoxins and should be discarded during PSP advisories. PSP and other naturally occurring biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Algae that contain the toxins cannot be seen and must be detected by laboratory testing.

Continued sampling will determine when closures will be lifted, and the public will be notified when there is an update.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning can cause severe illness and death. Early symptoms of PSP can set in within 30 minutes of shellfish consumption.

Questions, contact Samantha Russell,[email protected]; 360 416-1500.

Beach closure information: Marine Biotoxin Hotline: 800-562-5632 or Shellfish Safety Map: fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html.

Source: Skagit County Public Health