Welcome to Skagit County

June 2nd, 2011

Samish Bay shellfish beds reopened; still closed to recreationally harvested varnish clams due to Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (Red Tide)

SKAGIT COUNTY - The Washington State Department of Health reopened Samish Bay shellfish beds Monday, May 30, 2011. The Department of Health closed the beds on May 26, 2011, due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria, which washed into the bay with recent rainfall; however, recently-collected water quality monitoring data have verified the bay is again safe for shellfish harvesting. Samish Bay is still closed, however, to recreational shellfish harvesting of varnish clams due to elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (Red Tide). This closure will remain until additional sampling indicates toxin levels have declined.

The State Department of Health has specific water quality criteria for Samish Bay. If the Samish River and surrounding creeks and ditches contribute too much pollution, the bay closes until water quality samples can be collected to ensure bacteria levels have abated and the shellfish are again safe to consume.
When the bay is closed, shellfish farms can't harvest their crops and it is unsafe to consume shellfish recreationally harvested from the bay. Farms may have safe shellfish for sale during the closure that was either harvested prior to the closure or brought in from growing areas elsewhere in the state.
Potential sources of polluting bacteria in the Samish River watershed include:

Failing onsite sewage systems
Manure from commercial and non-commercial farms with livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, llamas, alpacas, etc.
Farming operations that spread animal manure as fertilizer
Human recreational activities including boating, hunting, fishing, and hiking
Marine live-aboard boats
Waterfowl attracted to fields
Pet waste that is not collected and disposed of properly

All of these sources, if managed properly, need not pose a threat to water quality.

For more information on clean water efforts in the Samish Watershed, a calendar of Samish Bay shellfish bed closures to date, or to report a water quality problem, visit www.skagitcounty.net/cleanwater.

For more information, contact Emma Whitfield at emmaw@co.skagit.wa.us or at (360) 419-7667.