Shellfish harvesters along northern Whatcom County's shoreline got welcome news this week. The Washington State Department of Health announced on June 18 that it is lifting the paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) biotoxin closure from Sandy Point north to the Canadian border, including all of Point Roberts. The closure had been in place since mid-April after testing revealed unsafe toxin levels in local molluscan shellfish.
Whatcom County's coastline stretches along Birch Bay, Blaine, Drayton Harbor, and the communities around Point Roberts, making shellfish harvesting a meaningful summer tradition for many families in the region. The lifted closure means residents and visitors can once again legally harvest clams, oysters, mussels, and other mollusks from those northern beaches, pending any other water quality restrictions that may apply.
Not all Whatcom County beaches are back in play, however. Molluscan shellfish harvest south of Sandy Point down to the Skagit County border remains closed. Harvesters planning trips to Bellingham Bay or beaches in that southern zone should hold off until the Department of Health issues a separate reopening notice. PSP biotoxins can be present in shellfish even when the water looks and smells clean, so visual inspection is never a reliable safety check.
Ceremonial, subsistence, and commercial shellfish harvest on tidelands within the Lummi Nation remains under tribal jurisdiction and is closed to all non-tribal visitors. Anyone with questions about Lummi Nation beach access should consult the Lummi Nation Beach Closures page for the most current harvest information.
PSP is caused by toxins produced by certain species of algae, and it is a serious health concern. Paralytic shellfish poisoning can cause tingling and numbness within minutes of eating contaminated shellfish, and in severe cases can lead to respiratory failure. The toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing, which is why state health officials conduct regular testing of shellfish tissue before issuing any clearances.
The Washington State Department of Health's beach closures page tracks biotoxin status in real time. Harvesters are strongly encouraged to check current beach status before any trip, no matter how recently a reopening was announced. Conditions can shift quickly based on water temperature, wind patterns, and algae bloom activity, and closures can be reinstated on short notice.
For those who prefer a phone call, the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 provides recorded closure updates for all Washington State beaches. The interactive shellfish safety map is also available online and updated whenever status changes.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services works alongside the state to monitor local beaches and communicate changes to the public. The county advises residents who harvest shellfish regularly to sign up for county health alerts at whatcomcounty.us so they receive notifications whenever closure status changes.
Summer is prime time for recreational shellfish harvesting along Whatcom County's waterfront communities, and the reopening of northern beaches comes just as warm weather draws more families outdoors. Whether you are digging for clams at Birch Bay or checking the tidelands near Blaine, the reminder from officials is consistent: know before you dig, and always verify the current status before harvesting anything.
