Shellfish Hotline

24-hour Shellfish hotline: 360 374 5636

This telephone number provides a recorded message, which is regularly updated, providing information on the safety of shellfish consumption, based on samples from the beaches monitored by the Quileute Tribe and tested by Washington Department of Health.

Current advisory December 19, 2011

NOTICE TO SHELLFISH HARVESTERS: The most recent sampling for biotoxins in shellfish revealed biotoxin levels that are below hazzardous levels. Shellfish are currently SAFE for Human Consumption. 

BIOTOXIN LEVELS MAY CHANGE QUICKLY SO CALL THE HOTLINE PHONE FOR UPDATES. 360-374-5636. Children, elders, persons with serious health problems, compromised immune systems, and pregnant women should be cautious when eating shellfish. Low levels such as <20 ppm of domoic acid can still pose a significant health risk to such persons.

Eating shellfish contaminated with the ASP toxin (amnesic shellfish poisoning), domoic acid, can cause minor to severe illness within minutes to hours after consumption. In mild cases, symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and headache. In more serious cases, symptoms may include permanent loss of short-term memory, excessive bronchial secretions, difficulty breathing, coma, and even death. Cooking, freezing, smoking or any other method cannot destroy the toxin.

Children, elders, persons with serious health problems or compromised immune systems and/or pregnant women should be cautious when eating shellfish. Low levels (less than 20 parts per million) of domoic acid may pose a significant health risk. The safety level of <20 ppm is set by the Federal Food and Drug Administration.

Shellfish contaminated with PSP toxins (paralytic shellfish poisoning) can cause minor to severe illness or even death. Signs and symptoms of PSP most often occur within 10 to 30 minutes after eating affected seafood. Problems can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tingling, numb or burning lips, gums, tongue, face, neck, arms, legs, and toes. Later problems may include shortness of breath, dry mouth, a choking feeling, confused or slurred speech, dizziness and lack of coordination. Cooking, freezing, smoking or any other method cannot destroy the toxin.

Again, for PSP, children, elders, persons with serious health problems or compromised immune systems and/or pregnant women should be cautious when eating shellfish. Low levels of less than 80 micrograms/100grams of PSP toxin may pose a significant health risk. The safety level of <80 ug/100g is the action level set by the Federal Food and Drug Administration.

Sampling Information: During winter months, QNR collects samples every 4 weeks for Domoic Acid ASP and PSP testing. Samples are sent to Washington State Department of Health. Water samples are also collected for identification of phytoplankton that may produce ASP or PSP toxins. State results come back within 3 - 4 days and the results are posted on the hotline published at the top of this web page.

Species Tested: Razor Clams, California Mussels

Beaches Sampled: Second Beach and Kalaloch Beach

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