Some island shellfish banned

The Kitsap County Health District has closed the entire east side of Bainbridge Island to shellfish harvesting.

The ban extends from South Beach to an existing closure that ends at Agate Passage. Another closure, limited to butter clams, remains in effect from Agate Passage to South Beach along the island’s west side.

The action comes after a Sept. 30 shellfish sample tested above the allowable level for a marine biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP)

The sample, provided by a private homeowner living in the Blakely Harbor area, tested 93 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue; closures occur when the toxin level exceeds 80 micrograms per 100 grams of tissue.

The waters around the island usually see an influx of “red tide” toxin that can create PSP in the fall months.

The closure affects all species of clams, oysters and mussels. Crabs should be cleaned prior to cooking, and the “crab butter” should be discarded, health officials said.

Get your voter registration in

Today is the last day residents will be able to register online or by mail for the November general election; all mail-in registrations must be postmarked by Oct. 4.

Eligible citizens with a Washington State driver’s license or Washington State ID card may register online at www.vote.wa.gov. Registrations can still be made in person up to 15 days before the election. For information, see www.kitsapgov.com/aud/elections/elections.htm.