Marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), also known has “red tide,” have been detected in shellfish samples from Silverdale Waterfront Park. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health and the Health District have closed Dyes Inlet to all recreational shellfish harvesting. This closure includes all of Dyes Inlet, including all bays and inlets from Rocky Point north to Silverdale. The closure is for all species of clams, oysters, and mussels. Warning signs have been posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from closed areas.
Samples of mussels collected on Monday, Oct. 19, from Silverdale contained toxin concentrations of 170 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue. Beaches are closed when the toxin level exceeds 80 micrograms per 100 grams of tissue.
As existing PSP closure for butter clams only remains in effect on the eastern shoreline of Kitsap County from Point-No-Point south to Agate Passage, and south down the eastern shoreline of Bainbridge Island to South Beach Road. Warning sings have also been posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from these areas.
Shrimp and crab are not included in this closure, but crabs should be cleaned prior to cooking, and the “crab butter” should be discarded. Shellfish harvested commercially that are available in stores are restaurants are tested for toxin prior to distribution, and are safe to eat.
Marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing and can be life-threatening. People can become ill from eating shellfish contaminated with the naturally occurring marine algae that contains toxins that are harmful to humans. 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 potentially death. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact a health care provider. For extreme reactions, call 911.
In most cases, the algae that contain the toxins cannot be seen and must be detected using laboratory testing. The Health District will continue to monitor shellfish at Kitsap County beaches, and notify the public if the levels of PSP toxin become unsafe in other areas.
For current shellfish closures within Kitsap County, call the hotline number 800-223-9355 or visit online at www.kitsapcountyhealth.com. For closures in other areas of Washington, call the Washington State Department of Health’s Red Tide Hotline at (800) 562-5632 or visit online.
