Drayton Harbor near Blaine closed to shellfish gathering

By Associated Press

Summary

Marine waters off Blaine have been closed to recreational shellfish gathering because of high toxin levels from an algae bloom.

Story Published: May 21, 2008 at 11:32 AM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 8:30 PM PDT

Drayton Harbor near Blaine closed to shellfish gathering
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) - Marine waters off Blaine have been closed to recreational shellfish gathering because of high toxin levels from an algae bloom.

The closure of Drayton Harbor and the shoreline around Semiahmoo Spit was announced Wednesday by the Whatcom County Health Department.

According to a news release from the agency, dangerously high levels of marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning have been found in clams, mussels, oysters, scallops and other mollusks.

The closure does not apply to crab, but health officials say only the meat should be eaten and the so-called "crab butter" should be discarded.

PSP is potentially deadly and the toxins that cause it are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Shellfish become contaminated with the toxins from naturally occurring algae.