Shellfish harvesting closed along western shore of Bainbridge Island

Published 9:58 am Saturday, July 30, 2016

The Kitsap Public Health District and Washington State Department of Health have closed shellfish harvesting along the western shoreline of Bainbridge Island between Agate Pass and Point White due to high levels of marine biotoxins.

The closure affects all species of clams, oysters and mussels.

Shellfish that are available in stores and restaurants are tested for toxins prior to distribution and are safe to eat, officials said. Shrimp and crab are not included in the closure, but crabs should be cleaned prior to cooking and “crab butter” should be discarded.

The closure was announced late Wednesday.

Warning signs have been posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from the closure areas. Existing shellfish closures remain in effect.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is a serious illness caused by eating contaminated shellfish. Early symptoms of PSP 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 PSP has occurred in less than 30 minutes.

Samples were taken on Tuesday, July 26 and PSP toxin levels of 103 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue were discovered. Harvesting is closed when PSP toxin levels exceed 80 micrograms per 100 grams of tissue.

Check the safety of shellfish harvesting at www.kitsappublichealth.org/shellfish or by calling the Kitsap Public Health Shellfish Hotline, 1-800-223-9355.