Harvesting shellfish can be an enjoyable summertime activity—a way to get out, get the kids digging and possibly bring home dinner in the form of clams, mussels or other tasty offerings from Puget Sound. Put it’s critical to pay attention to harvesting news to avoid eating shellfish contaminated with dangerous toxins. Always check the DOH shellfish safety website before harvesting shellfish.
This week, paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) was detected at unsafe levels on Vashon-Maury Island’s popular Quartermaster Harbor beaches. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health has closed these areas to recreational shellfish harvest and Public Health – Seattle & King County is posting advisory signs at beaches warning people to not collect shellfish.
This announcement applies only to recreational shellfish. Commercial shellfish harvesting sites are monitored and regulated separately, according to a county health officials.
Species of shellfish affected
The closure includes all species of shellfish including clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters, snails and other invertebrates. It does not include crab or shrimp since. Keep in mind that crabmeat is not known to contain the PSP toxin, but the guts of crab can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, the health department stresses the importance of cleaning crab thoroughly and discard the guts.
What’s the risk?
Eating PSP-contaminated shellfish can cause illness and even death. A naturally occurring marine organism produces the toxin. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing. And there is no way for someone to know if PSP toxin in shelfish just by looking. The health department warns families not to be fooled into thinking that the toxin is present only when you can visually see “red tides.” PSP can only be detected by laboratory testing.
Symptoms of PSP
Symptoms of PSP usually begin 30-60 minutes after eating the contaminated shellfish but may take several hours. Symptoms are generally mild:
- They start with numbness or tingling of the face, arms, and legs.
- Proceed to headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of muscle coordination. Sometimes a floating sensation occurs.
- In cases of severe poisoning, muscle paralysis and respiratory failure occur, and in these cases, death may occur in 2 to 25 hours.
If symptoms are mild, call your health care provider or Washington Poison Center (800-222-1222), and Public Health (206-296-4774). If symptoms are severe, call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room immediately.
Always check before harvesting shellfish
Recreational shellfish harvesting can be closed at any time for multiple reasons, including rising levels of PSP or pollution. It’s important to call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 or visit DOH’s shellfish safety website before heading out for a shellfish hunt anywhere in Puget Sound.
Looking for a beach activity that doesn’t involve harvesting? Try tidepooling! Here are some of the best spots for tidepooling in Seattle with kids.
