Shellfish harvest ban lifted for southern Whatcom County

The department still reports pollution closures in areas like Chuckanut Bay and Larrabee State Park.

By Adam Rideout Redeker July 16, 2026 4:11 pm

Map of northwest Washington near Bellingham, showing Birch Bay, Whatcom, Lake Whatcom, Lummi Island, and surrounding coastline. — ContributedCurrent closures in Whatcom County for shellfish harvesting as of July 16, 2026. The green areas indicate open harvest locations. Courtesy of WADOH

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Shellfish bans in southern Whatcom County have been lifted after biotoxin levels receded.

The Washington State Department of Health (WADOH) announced Thursday, July 17 that the biotoxin closure from Sandy Point south to the Skagit County border has been lifted.

The department still reports pollution closures in areas like Chuckanut Bay and Larrabee State Park.

WADOH lifted the harvest ban north of Sandy Point nearly a month ago.

Biotoxin levels are known to change rapidly and those who harvest shellfish are advised to check the WA Shellfish Closure Map before digging. Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is not destroyed by cooking or freezing shellfish.