Kitsap Public Health District and the state Department of Health have closed shellfish harvesting in Liberty Bay because of high levels of marine biotoxins that cause Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison, or DHP.
Samples of muscles collected on July 13 from the Poulsbo Marina contained DSP toxin concentrations of 59 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish tissue, the health district reported. Shorelines are closed to harvesting when DSP toxin levels exceed 16 micrograms per 100 grams of tissue.
Warning signs have been posted at public beaches alerting people not to collect shellfish from the closure areas. Existing shellfish closures remain in effect. All Kitsap County shellfish harvesting closures are listed on the Kitsap Public Health District Shellfish Harvesting Advisory webpage.
Read the full story at North Kitsap Herald >>
Read more about shellfish >>
