Effective immediately, the State of Washington Department of Health has lifted the closure of beaches for the harvest of shellfish in Western Washington, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Dungeness Spit westward to Cape Flattery.

The upgrade was triggered after samples collected have no detectable levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning toxin.

In this area, harvesting is open for clams (including geoduck), oyster, mussels and other invertebrates such as the moon snail. All areas are closed for the sport harvest of scallops.

These closures do not apply to shrimp.

Crabmeat is not known to contain the PSP toxin, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts.

Shellfish harvesting along ocean beaches remain closed. On Sequim Bay, butter clam harvesting is closed but other shellfish may be harvested.

For more information about this closure, call the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at (800) 562-5632, or see the Department of Health’s Marine Biotoxin Website at ww4.doh.wa.gov/gis/biotoxin.htm.

For more information, call the Clallam County Environmental Health Food Safety Program at 417-2328.