HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/06/12 - Biotoxin Alert - Shellfish Harvesting Closed in Hood Canal 6)�ON r1,, irk
NEWS RELEASE
June 12t'' , 2026
MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE
�s. 411 N 5TH ST, BLDG 1, SHELTON,WA 98584
TO: KMAS, KRXY, SHELTON-MASON COUNTY JOURNAL, THE OLYMPIAN,
SHELTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,NORTH MASON CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE, CITY OF SHELTON, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL, THE SUN
RE: BIOTOXIN ALERT -Shellfish Harvesting Closed in Hood Canal
Shellfish in Hood Canal are unsafe to eat due to the detection of Paralytic Shellfish
Poisoning(PSP) Toxin. Recent sampling conducted by the Washington State Department
of Health(DOH) found elevated levels of PSP toxin in Hood Canal. On June 11th, DOH
issued an emergency closure for all of Hood Canal. PSP toxin cannot be removed by
cooking, and consuming high levels of PSP toxin can lead to severe illness and death.
You can view the status of shellfish harvest areas by visiting:
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html
For more information regarding PSP please visit:
https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/3 32-058.pdf
Contacts:
Biotoxin Hotline 1-800-562-5632
DOH Recreational Shellfish Program(360) 236-3330
Mason County Public Health and Human Services (360)427-9670 x400