DISCOVERY BAY — State health officials have closed Discovery Bay beaches to recreational shellfish harvesting because of health concerns.
The Peninsula Daily News reports the Jefferson Water Quality Program says elevated levels of marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning have been found in shellfish from the area.
Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxins prior to distribution and should be safe to eat.
Meanwhile, marine biotoxins in Dabob Bay have declined, and that closure has been lifted. A vibrio bacteria warning is in place, however, and all shellfish harvested from the Dabob Bay area should be cooked prior to consumption.
In Clallam County, all beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca remain open to shellfish harvesting of all species, with the exception of Sequim Bay, which is closed to the harvest of butter clams and varnish clams.
