Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗
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Jefferson County Public Health announced a closure of Port Townsend Bay, Kilisut Harbor, Mystery Bay, and part of Admiralty Inlet“For Immediate ReleaseContact: Michael Dawson, Water Quality ManagerJefferson County Public Health360-385-9444 ext. 301Jefferson County, WA. Shellfish samples from sites tested by the Washington Department of Health (DOH) were found to have high levels of the biotoxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Therefore, DOH has closed Port Townsend Bay, Kilisut Harbor, Mystery Bay and part of Admiralty Inlet for the recreational harvest of all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, oysters, mussels and scallops.”
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The closure is for recreational shellfish harvesting“Therefore, DOH has closed Port Townsend Bay, Kilisut Harbor, Mystery Bay and part of Admiralty Inlet for the recreational harvest of all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, oysters, mussels and scallops.”
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The closure is due to high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins“For Immediate ReleaseContact: Michael Dawson, Water Quality ManagerJefferson County Public Health360-385-9444 ext. 301Jefferson County, WA. Shellfish samples from sites tested by the Washington Department of Health (DOH) were found to have high levels of the biotoxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Therefore, DOH has closed Port Townsend Bay, Kilisut Harbor, Mystery Bay and part of Admiralty Inlet for the recreational harvest of all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, oysters, mussels and scallops.”
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The closure is effective immediately“null”
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The closure affects clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops“Therefore, DOH has closed Port Townsend Bay, Kilisut Harbor, Mystery Bay and part of Admiralty Inlet for the recreational harvest of all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, oysters, mussels and scallops.”
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The closure does not include shrimp, crab, or commercially available shellfish“The closure does not include shrimp or crab, nor commercially available shellfish.”
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The Washington Department of Health (DOH) detected toxins from Alexandrium plankton in shellfish samplesNot found in the source record — unverified.
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The closure was prompted by the detection of toxins from Alexandrium plankton in shellfish samples“For Immediate ReleaseContact: Michael Dawson, Water Quality ManagerJefferson County Public Health360-385-9444 ext. 301Jefferson County, WA. Shellfish samples from sites tested by the Washington Department of Health (DOH) were found to have high levels of the biotoxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Therefore, DOH has closed Port Townsend Bay, Kilisut Harbor, Mystery Bay and part of Admiralty Inlet for the recreational harvest of all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, oysters, mussels and scallops. This latest closure means that almost all of eastern Jefferson County is now closed for all species, however Discovery Bay remains closed for butter and varnish clams only. The closure does not include shrimp or crab, nor commercially available shellfish. Jefferson County Public Health has posted Danger – Toxic Shellfish signs at public access points in the area.”
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Jefferson County Public Health has posted 'Danger – Toxic Shellfish' signs at public access points“Jefferson County Public Health has posted Danger – Toxic Shellfish signs at public access points in the area.”
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Symptoms of PSP include tingling lips and tongue“Symptoms of PSP can appear within minutes or hours and usually begin with tingling lips and tongue, moving to the hands and feet, followed by difficulty breathing and paralysis.”
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Symptoms of PSP include difficulty breathing“Symptoms of PSP can appear within minutes or hours and usually begin with tingling lips and tongue, moving to the hands and feet, followed by difficulty breathing and paralysis.”
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Symptoms of PSP include paralysis“Symptoms of PSP can appear within minutes or hours and usually begin with tingling lips and tongue, moving to the hands and feet, followed by difficulty breathing and paralysis.”
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Severe cases of PSP require immediate medical attention“Symptoms of PSP can appear within minutes or hours and usually begin with tingling lips and tongue, moving to the hands and feet, followed by difficulty breathing and paralysis. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming shellfish should contact a health care provider immediately. For extreme reactions, call 911.”
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Discovery Bay remains closed only for butter and varnish clams“Discovery Bay remains closed for butter and varnish clams only.”
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Recreational harvesters should check the DOH Shellfish Safety map at www.doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm“To find out which areas are safe to harvest shellfish in Washington and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) harvesting seasons and rules, please check the map at www.doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.”
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Recreational harvesters should call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 for current conditions“To find out which areas are safe to harvest shellfish in Washington and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) harvesting seasons and rules, please check the map at www.doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.”
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Commercial shellfish operations are unaffected by this closure“The closure does not include shrimp or crab, nor commercially available shellfish.”