WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Recreational shellfish harvesting has been shut down once again in Whatcom County.

Whatcom County Health and Community Services says that all beaches in the county are closed for molluscan shellfish harvesting

Those include oysters, mussels and scallops.

Elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) have been detected once again in shellfish from Bellingham Bay up to Drayton Harbor at the Canadian border.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that a harvest ban was put in place for Birch Bay on Thursday.

PSP can cause mild symptoms such as numbness and loss of control in the arms and legs and could lead to more severe issues including paralysis and suffocation.

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.