Port Madison Bay has been closed to all shellfish harvesting due to high levels of marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).

Officials from the Kitsap Public Health District and Washington State Department of Health said the closure includes recreational harvest of all species of shellfish, including clams, oysters and mussels.

The closure extends from Point Jefferson south to Point Monroe, and west to the Agate Passage Bridge.

Officials said samples of mussels taken on Monday, Oct. 20 from Port Madison Bay contained PSP toxin concentrations of 88 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue. Shorelines are closed to harvesting when toxin levels exceed

80 micrograms per 100 grams of tissue.

Warning signs have been posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from the closure areas.

Other shellfish harvesting closures also remain in effect:

• The west shoreline of Bainbridge Island from the Agate Passage Bridge south to Point White, and on the east shoreline from Illahee State Park north to Point Bolin (includes all bays and inlets except Liberty Bay) to varnish and butter clams only.

• The eastern shoreline of Kitsap County, from Point No Point, south to Restoration Point on Bainbridge Island, including all bays and inlets, to varnish and butter clams only.

For details on all shellfish closures in Kitsap County, call 1-800-2BE-WELL.