OLYMPIA, Wash. — With the warm weather and low tides, many people may be venturing out to harvest shellfish from one of our many local beaches.
The state Department of Health advises would-be shellfish harvesters to check for beach closures and advisories due to marine toxins.
Before leaving, check the Shellfish Safety Map, call your county Public Health department or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 800-562-5632.
When harvesting, practice safe harvesting measures such as harvesting with the receding tide, don’t harvest shellfish that have been exposed to the sun for more than an hour and keep shellfish on ice immediately after harvesting.
Handling, Storing & Cooking Shellfish Safely