WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Shellfish harvesting in northern Whatcom County is closed again due to high levels of biotoxins.

Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) says that unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) have been detected in shellfish in Birch Bay. The Washington State Department of Health has closed the recreational harvest of all species of molluscan shellfish from Sandy Point and north to the Canadian border. This includes all of Drayton Harbor and Point Roberts.

This closure is the second to occur this summer, with the previous closure from July 16 through Aug. 1.

Molluscan shellfish include clams, mussels, oysters and scallops. According to WCHCS, mussels tend to contain the highest toxin concentration.

Locally harvested crab meat is not affected, but “crab butter” and entrails could contain biotoxins and should be discarded.

PSP can cause severe illness and death, with symptoms including numbness and tingling in lips and tongue. Symptoms may occur within minutes or two hours of eating toxic shellfish. PSP cannot be destroyed by freezing or cooking.

Before harvesting shellfish, check for biotoxin and pollution closures by using the Washington Shellfish Closure map or by calling the Department of Health Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.