WASHINGTON — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has reopened recreational harvesting for clams, mussels and oysters on select public beaches in Hood Canal and Admiralty Inlet following an unprecedented summer-long biotoxin closure.
The reopening follows updated guidance from the Washington State Department of Health after health officials lifted closures in specific areas.
From June 12 to Sept. 3, all of Hood Canal and portions of Admiralty Inlet were closed to recreational shellfish gathering due to unsafe levels of marine biotoxins, which are naturally occurring poisons produced by algae blooms that can cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning.
Under the emergency fishing rule, public shellfish beaches in Dabob and Quilcene bays in Jefferson County are open for harvest. Butter and varnish clams remain closed by health officials in those bays, while all other species are open.
At Belfair State Park in Mason County, all species of clams, mussels and oysters are open.
In Jefferson County, officials extended the oyster-only harvest at Point Whitney Tidelands and Lagoon through Sept. 30 to offset lost harvesting opportunities during the summer.
Clam harvesting at Point Whitney remains closed to support population recovery.
Chris Eardley, Puget Sound shellfish policy coordinator for WDFW, noted that the summer algae bloom was unprecedented for the area.
“The biotoxin levels we saw this summer developed quickly and intensely, persisting for months in ways not previously observed in Hood Canal,” Eardley said.
Eardley credited joint testing and monitoring efforts for making the selective reopenings possible.
“Extensive coordination with DOH, local monitoring partners and a substantial effort by WDFW staff to increase sampling throughout Hood Canal has allowed us to reopen shellfish harvesting on several beaches,” Eardley said. “We’re also happy to be able to extend oyster seasons on some beaches to offset lost opportunity over the summer.”
High biotoxin levels persist in other areas, keeping ongoing recreational shellfish closures in place for portions of Marine Area 12 in Hood Canal. Marine Area nine in Admiralty Inlet also remains closed south of a line drawn from Foulweather Bluff in Kitsap County to Olele Point in Jefferson County.
Harvesting requires a valid shellfish, seaweed or combination fishing license, available online, through the MyWDFW mobile app, at license dealers and at WDFW regional offices. Harvesters must follow all standard rules, daily limits, minimum sizes and the requirement to refill dig holes.
DOH and WDFW advise gatherers to check the DOH Washington Shellfish Safety Map and the WDFW beach webpage before visiting any site, as biotoxin risks can change rapidly.
Reflecting on the impact of the closures, Eardley highlighted the coordination required to protect public health.
“What occurred in Hood Canal this summer was alarming and unfortunate, with significant harvesting opportunity lost in peak season in one of Washington’s best areas for shellfish,” Eardley said. “WDFW and DOH coordinated to confront potentially lethal levels of biotoxins in shellfish to prevent serious illness among our harvesting public. We’re grateful to the hard work of our colleagues at DOH, to the many monitoring partners and tribes and to the public, who has been understanding and cooperative in the interest of safety.”
Oyster harvesting at Point Whitney Tidelands and Lagoon will remain open through Sept. 30. Department officials noted that other Hood Canal beaches may receive season extensions if biotoxin testing allows for additional reopenings.