Shellfish Harvesting Closed in Agate Passage

Tests show high levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP).CLOSURE AREA: Agate Passage and Port Orchard Passage, including the eastern shoreline of the Kitsap Peninsula from the area of Old Man House Park in Suquamish south to Illahee State Park and the west shoreline of Bainbridge Island from Agate Point south to Point White. Existing shellfish closures remain in effect. SPECIES AFFECTED: All recreational shellfish harvesting for all species of clams, oysters, and mussels. Shrimp and crab are not included in this closure, but crabs should be cleaned prior to cooking, and the “crab butter” should be discarded. Anyone planning to harvest or consume local, recreationally harvested shellfish must first:1) Check the safety status of shellfish harvesting:Shellfish safety clickable mapList of current shellfish marine biotoxin closuresKitsap Public Health District shellfish advisoriesKitsap Public Health Shellfish Hotline: 1-800-2BE-WELL (1-800-223-9355)Statewide Shellfish Safety Hotline: 1-800-562-5632 2) Check the harvest seasons and licensing requirements:Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife websiteCall 1-866-880-5431 Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) Early symptoms include tingling of the lips and tongue, which may begin within minutes of eating toxic shellfish or may take an hour or two to develop. Symptoms may progress to tingling of fingers and toes and then loss of control of arms and legs, followed by difficulty in breathing. Some people feel nauseous or experience a sense of floating. If a person consumes enough toxin, muscles of the chest and abdomen become paralyzed, including muscles used for breathing, and the victim can suffocate. Death from Paralytic Shellfish Poison has occurred in less than 30 minutes. Shellfish monitoringThe Kitsap Public Health District, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health and Clean Water Kitsap, tests shellfish at locations throughout Kitsap County. Warning signs will be posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from the closure areas. ResourcesMarine biotoxins | DOHShellfish species identification | DOHFollow Kitsap Public Health District on Facebook, X and Instagram. Washington shellfish safety mapView full screen at doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.
Source: https://www.kitsappublichealth.org/post/shellfish-harvesting-closed-in-agate-passage-and-port-orchard-passage-1