NOTICE: This message supersedes our release dated 5-23-24.
Unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxin have been detected in molluscan shellfish in Drayton Harbor and Bellingham Bay. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health has closed recreational harvest for all species of molluscan shellfish in all of Whatcom County.
Molluscan shellfish include clams, mussels, oysters and scallops. Mussels usually contain the highest toxin concentration. Paralytic shellfish poisoning and other naturally occurring biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Crab meat is not affected, but “crab butter” and crab entrails can harbor biotoxins and should always be discarded.
Shellfish sold in restaurants and markets are tested before distribution and are safe to eat.
Biotoxin levels can change rapidly. Algae that contain the toxins cannot be seen, and must be detected by laboratory testing. Shellfish harvesters are advised to “Know Before You Dig.” Always check for biotoxin and pollution closures at: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html or call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 before harvesting shellfish anywhere in Washington State.
PSP biotoxin can cause severe illness and death. Symptoms include numbness and tingling of 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, the chest and abdomen muscles become paralyzed, including muscles used for breathing, and the victim can suffocate. Death from Paralytic Shellfish Poison has occurred in less than 30 minutes.
