Summary:
The Washington State Department of Health has closed recreational shellfish harvesting areas from Alki Beach in Seattle to Dash Point State Park in Federal Way, as well as along the eastern shores of Vashon-Maury Island, including Quartermaster Harbor, due to the detection of dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). The advisory applies to all shellfish species, and crab and shrimp are not included, though crab guts should be discarded. PSP is a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by marine algae, and symptoms of poisoning typically appear within 30 to 60 minutes of consumption.
Paralytic shellfish poison (PSP), a dangerous biotoxin, has been detected at unsafe levels from Alki Beach in Seattle to Dash Point State Park in Federal Way, as well as along the eastern shores of Vashon-Maury Island, including Quartermaster Harbor. The Washington State Department of Health has closed these areas to recreational shellfish harvesting.
This closure expands on an advisory issued July 23 that originally covered only Quartermaster Harbor. Beaches that are already closed year-round to shellfish harvesting remain restricted, but the updated alert highlights elevated health risks in newly affected zones.
Public Health – Seattle & King County is working with state partners to post warning signs at impacted beaches. The advisory applies solely to recreational harvesting. Commercial shellfish operations are monitored separately; commercial harvesters should refer to the DOH’s Commercial Shellfish Map Viewer for current conditions.
All shellfish species are affected, including clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters, snails, and other invertebrates. Crab and shrimp are not included, though crab guts—also known as “butter”—can carry toxins and should be discarded. Clean crab thoroughly before consumption.
PSP is a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by marine algae. It is not destroyed by cooking or freezing and cannot be detected by sight, smell, or taste—making “red tide” a misleading term. Laboratory testing is the only way to confirm its presence.
Symptoms of PSP poisoning typically appear within 30 to 60 minutes of consumption and include numbness or tingling in the face, arms, and legs, followed by headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of coordination. Severe cases can result in muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, or death within hours.
Anyone experiencing mild symptoms should contact their healthcare provider, the Washington Poison Center at 800-222-1222, or Public Health – Seattle & King County at 206-296-4774. Severe symptoms require immediate emergency care—call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Because biotoxin levels and pollution can change quickly, officials urge the public to always check the Washington State Department of Health’s shellfish safety website or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 before collecting shellfish anywhere in Puget Sound.
