For immediate release: June 10, 2010 (10-091)

Contacts:
Greg Combs, Office Shellfish and Water Protection 360-236-3308
Jerry Borchert, Office Shellfish and Water Protection 360-236-3328
Donn Moyer, Communications Office 360-236-4076

OLYMPIA ¾ A sharp, fast rise in the levels of a dangerous marine biotoxin leads state health officials to warn against eating shellfish taken from beaches in Clallam and Whatcom counties.

Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) has been detected at dangerously high concentrations in shellfish samples collected from coastal beaches, the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Clallam County, and throughout Whatcom County. It’s unsafe to collect and eat recreational shellfish from these areas. Commercial beaches are sampled separately and commercial products should be safe to eat. Recreational harvest is closed when PSP levels reach 80 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue; testing in some areas has revealed levels over 3,000 micrograms.

Local health authorities in both counties have posted shellfish closure signs at public beaches warning people to not collect shellfish from these areas. The closure includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, and other species of mollusks. Crabs are not included in the closure.

PSP poisoning can be life threatening and is caused by eating shellfish containing a potent toxin. The toxin is produced by a naturally occurring organism. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Common symptoms of PSP poisoning include tingly lips and tongue moving to the hands and feet which may begin within minutes of eating the shellfish. In high doses it can cause difficulty breathing which can cause death without emergency life support. A person who suspects they have eaten contaminated shellfish should seek medical help immediately.

A person cannot tell if the toxin is present by looking. PSP, also known as “red tide,” can only be detected by laboratory testing. Recreational shellfish harvesters should call the Department of Health Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 or on the Marine Biotoxin website (www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.htm) before harvesting shellfish anywhere in Washington.

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