This sign has been posted at Sequim Bay and is due to what’s being called a “mystery outbreak” caused by a baffling biotoxin. Sequim Bay has the dubious distinction of being the only body of saltwater in Washington state and the U.S. where diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) has been found. Because of this, recreational harvest of all bay shellfish has been closed. Commercial operations are not affected.
There are closures at other beaches due to “red tides” or paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).
DSP, PSP. I will spare you the details of symptoms of either. Both are bad news.
Yikes!
Well at least DSP isn’t fatal, while the “red tide” paralytic type can be. Neither one is fun.
Yes.. I heard the report on the local news the other night… I wonder why the commercial harvesting is not closed nor affected??
I’m guessing that commercial conditions are more carefully monitored than those affecting recreational uses, i.e., water sampling, product sampling. But that’s a guess.