SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Recreational shellfish harvesting is now closed in Skagit Bay.

The Washington State Department of Health announced the closure on Wednesday due to dangerous levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins found in recent samples.

The closure applies to all molluscan shellfish including clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops.

PSP cannot be removed through cooking or freezing.

Crab meat is not affected, but “crab butter” and entrails should be discarded.

Shellfish harvesting is also currently closed from Sandy Point up to the Canadian border, including all of Point Roberts.

As always, shellfish harvesters are advised to check the state’s shellfish closure map before digging.

Previous MBN story on Whatcom closure: https://mybellinghamnow.com/news/297792-paralytic-shellfish-poisoning-detected-near-birch-bay/