Shellfish harvesting will be closed until August 9 on the eastern and northern shorelines of Bainbridge Island and Port Madison due to potential pollution from a July 19 sewage overflow at the West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle.
According to the Kitsap Public Health District and the Washington State Department of Health’s Shellfish Program, the closure area will be the eastern and northern shorelines of Bainbridge Island, north of Eagle Harbor, and the Port Madison and Indianola area from the Agate Passage Bridge to Point Jefferson.
The species affected for recreational shellfish harvesting includes clams, oyster and mussels. Shrimp and crab are not included in this closure, but crabs should be cleaned prior to cooking and “crab butter” should be discarded, per the Health District.
Commercially harvested shellfish that are currently available in stores and restaurants are tested for toxins prior to distribution and are considered safe to eat. KPHD advises anyone planning to harvest or consume local, recreationally-harvested shellfish must check the safety status, and the harvest season and licensing requirements.