Shellfish enthusiasts and commercial harvesters in Washington state received some good news recently. In an update from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), portions of Willapa Bay have been cleared to resume commercial shellfish harvesting following a temporary pause due to health concerns. Specifically, the areas of Nahcotta, Cedar River, North River, Nemah River, and Naselle River are once again open for business, according to details released on DOH's website.
It turns out that the troubling levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP), a dangerous toxin, had led to a shutdown in these waters off Washington's Pacific Coast. Harvesters are not completely out of regulatory water yet, though—the DOH made it clear that lot testing for PSP toxin remains mandatory for all commercially harvested shellfish from these areas. This added measure ensures that no contaminated shellfish find their way to plates and bowls in the market.
"We understand the importance of commercial shellfish harvesting to our communities, and we are pleased to announce the reopening of these areas," said Dani Toepelt, Shellfish Licensing and Certification Manager. "As people’s safety remains our top priority, lot testing will remain mandatory until further notice," Toepelt told in the DOH announcement.
Still, some parts of the bay, namely Stony Point, Bruceport, and Bay Center, are not ready to be declared safe yet and remain shut to commercial harvests. The ban also extends to all recreational shellfish harvesting in both Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. Lot testing in Grays Harbor is similarly stringent right now, reflecting heightened concerns about biotoxin levels. The DOH has committed to monitoring the situation with ongoing lot tests, hinting at a possibility that, if results are favorable, further reopenings might be just around the corner.
It should also be noted that the DOH is pushing for awareness among the public about the seasonal recreational shellfish closures, which were issued by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Olympic National Park for all coastal beaches in Washington state. Want to stay informed? The current closure information can be found on the Washington Shellfish Safety Map or by ringing up the biotoxin/red tide hotline at 1-800-562-5632. More details on marine biotoxins and related health concerns are also available on the DOH's website for those looking to dig deeper.
