For Immediate Release 
Contact: Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager
Jefferson County Public Health
360-385-9444 ext. 301 

Shellfish Closures Expand

JEFFERSON COUNTY—Recent shellfish samples from Jefferson County were found to have high levels of the biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), and the Washington State Department of Health has closed Protection Island, Admiralty Inlet, Oak Bay, and Kilisut Harbor including Mystery Bay and Fort Flagler State Park for recreational harvesting of all shellfish species. Jefferson County Public Health and Washington State Parks have posted warning signs at public access points. This closure comes one week after Discovery Bay, Mats Mats Bay and Port Ludlow closed for the same reason. Additional areas of nearby counties are also closed.

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning can be fatal. Illness is caused by eating shellfish contaminated with toxins from the naturally occurring marine plankton Alexandrium. The biotoxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing contaminated shellfish. 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. 

To find out which areas in Washington are safe to harvest shellfish, please check the Shellfish Safety map at www.doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632. For the latest information on regulations and seasons, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing or call the Shellfish Rule Change Hotline at 1-866-880-5431.

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Jefferson County Public Health
Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Community