WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Molluscan shellfish harvesting has been closed for all beaches in Whatcom County.

Health and Community Services announced on Friday, April 17 that state health officials have detected unsafe levels of biotoxins in several locations throughout the county. That prompted the recreational harvesting closure throughout the county, including Point Roberts.

Molluscan shellfish include clams, mussels, oysters and scallops.

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, or PSP, can cause mild symptoms such as numbness and could lead to more severe issues including paralysis and suffocation.

It cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing.

Shellfish sold in restaurants and markets are still safe to eat.

But some clams and oysters harvested by Gomez Shellfish in Mason County have been recalled from Whatcom County stores.