The Kitsap Public Health District staff collect shellfish for testing at 12 locations during the summer and fall, and at nine locations year-round. Samples, usually mussels, are collected for and sent to the Washington State Department of Health lab, where they are tested for three marine biotoxins: PSP, DSP and ASP. Shorelines are closed to harvesting when toxin levels exceed safe levels. Shorelines are re-opened for harvesting once two consecutive samples are obtained and toxin levels are safe.

Shorelines are closed to harvesting when toxin levels exceed safe levels. Shorelines are re-opened for harvesting once two consecutive samples are obtained and toxin levels are safe.

Plan Ahead  

Anyone planning to harvest or consume local, recreationally-harvested shellfish must first:

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1. Check the safety status of shellfish harvesting:

• Click HERE for a clickable shellfish safety map
  

• Click HERE for a current list of marine biotoxin shellfish closures by county
  

• Click HERE for water contact advisories and pollution-related shellfish closures
  

• Call the Kitsap Public Health Shellfish Hotline: 1-800-2BE-WELL (1-800-223-9355)
  

• Call the Statewide Shellfish Safety Hotline: 1-800-562-5632

2. Check the shellfish harvest seasons and licensing requirements:

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• Click HERE for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife website
  

• Call the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife hotline: 1-866-880-5431

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Additional Resources

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• Shellfish species identification chart

• Subscribe to Kitsap County shellfish harvesting electronic alerts

• Follow Kitsap Public Health on Facebook

• Learn More about shellfish safety and marine biotoxins