Kitsap Public Health District has ordered shellfish harvesting closed in four local waterways after tests detected high levels of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison (DSP). The affected areas include Liberty Bay, Dyes Inlet, Port Washington Narrows, and Sinclair Inlet. The advisory was issued approximately 16 hours before this report, on April 16, 2026.
A separate closure was also issued for the east shoreline of Bainbridge Island, where tests showed high levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP), a different marine biotoxin. That advisory was posted two days prior to the DSP closures.
DSP and PSP are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain marine algae. Shellfish such as clams, oysters, and mussels can accumulate these toxins by filter-feeding, making them unsafe for human consumption. Neither toxin affects the appearance, smell, or taste of shellfish.
The closures come amid a broader period of public health activity in Kitsap County. Earlier this month, a cyanobacteria warning was also issued for Kitsap Lake on April 6. Residents are advised to check with Kitsap Public Health District for updates on when affected waterways may reopen.