All Whatcom County beaches open for shellfish harvest following closures
Following a series of closures due to the presence of biotoxins, all Whatcom County beaches are now open again for the recreational harvest of molluscan shellfish. Molluscan shellfish include clams, mussels, oysters and scallops.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services said Friday afternoon that levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxin have dropped enough to no longer pose a risk. The biotoxin can cause severe illness and even death, and is not destroyed by cooking or freezing.
Shellfish harvest on tidelands within Lummi Nation are not within the state’s jurisdiction and are closed to all non-Tribal visitors. As of the announcement, Lummi Bay is listed as safe for harvesting of all species. Portage Bay is closed until Nov. 30 due to poor water quality.
The health department warned that biotoxin levels can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information on shellfish closures, check the Washington Shellfish Safety Map online or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 800-562-5632.