YIKES! Lethal levels of biotoxins found in Quilcene Bay shellfish

PORT TOWNSEND -- Lethal levels of biotoxins have been found in shellfish samples taken from Quilcene Bay, Jefferson County Public Health said Monday.

"Marine biotoxins that cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) have recently been detected at lethal concentrations in shellfish samples collected from Quilcene Bay," the county news release said.

Quilcene Bay has been closed to the recreational harvest of shellfish since Sept. 8. The Washington State Department of Health warns the public that consumption of shellfish with such high amounts of toxin is potentially lethal.

Jefferson County Public Health said it will continue to test local beaches and will notify the public when shellfish are safe to harvest again.

Shellfish harvested commercially are tested for toxin prior to distribution and should be safe to eat.
Marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing.