Due to an unfamiliar biotoxin, the State of Washington Department of Health has closed Sequim Bay to all species of shellfish, including clams (and geoduck), oysters, mussels and other invertebrates such as the moon snail.
The biotoxin, which has never been found in Washington waters until now, can cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, a foodborne illness that cannot be killed by cooking the food, Communications Officer Julie Graham said.
The Department of Health Office of Shellfish and Water Protection has suspected the biotoxin, which has caused problems in Europe and was recently found in British Columbia, may become a concern in Washington waters.
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