San Juan County shellfish harvest season closed

There will be no recreational shellfish harvesting in San Juan County until further notice. A significant bloom of the alga that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) has forced closing of beaches for harvesting in most of the counties around the American Salish Sea.
Species included are all molluscan shellfish including clams, mussels, oysters and scallops. Moonsnails and other gastropods can also become toxic, as can sea cucumbers. Crabs and shrimp are NOT affected by the ban, but the Dept. of Health cautions that crabs should be gutted and cleaned well, as they can accumulate toxins in their intestinal systems. Butter clams seem to absorb the most toxins, and can be unsafe to eat for up to a year. The blooms typically last into the fall, and ongoing testing will determine when the ban can be lifted. There are not likely to be signs on beaches informing people of the closings, so help spread the word!
What about commercial operations and seafood in restaurants and grocery stores? Commercial shell-fisheries are required to do regular testing, and if the biotoxins are below the danger levels, the mollusks can be certified for sale. Food establishments are required to buy only certified products.
The algae blooms are often referred to as "red tide," but the Health Department says that the presence (or absence) of red in the water is not an accurate indicator of the toxin levels. Research continues as to the cause of this cyclical phenomenon, which can affect shellfish on both Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
If you're interested in finding out more, call 1-800-562-5632, or check out the following websites:

http://ww4.doh.wa.gov/gis/mogifs/biotoxin.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/biotoxin.htm