High levels of paralytic shellfish poison found in Orcas Island shellfish

ORCAS ISLAND, Wash. – If you recently harvested oysters or clams from Buck Bay on Orcas Island, do not eat them.

The Washington State Department of Health says oysters and clams from the area have tested positive for high levels of paralytic shellfish poison.

The shellfish were tested on July 26th and 27th and came directly from the Buck Bay Shellfish Company retail market and restaurant.

Paralytic shellfish poison, or PSP, causes nausea, paralysis and even death.

The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing the shellfish.