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Soundtoxin spike prompts temporary harvest caution; Clallam MRC monitors algal counts
Summary
Committee heard from Soundtoxin that Alexandrium and Dinophysis counts peaked recently — the highest of the summer — prompting DOH advisories and temporary pauses in harvesting of certain clams and oysters. Subsequent weekly samples declined, and the committee will continue to track toxin levels.
Soundtoxin representatives told the Clallam County MRC on Oct. 20 that samples taken three Mondays ago registered the highest Alexandrium and Dinophysis counts seen over the summer, prompting Washington State Department of Health (DOH) precautionary guidance against harvesting certain shellfish in affected places.
"We had the highest counts of Alexandrium and Dynaephysis that we've had all summer," the Soundtoxin representative reported. Members said mussel toxin counts reached as high as 2,600 in one sampling series and that DOH advised against harvesting clams and oysters until levels fell. Follow-up samples the next week and this week were much lower, the group said.
Committee members discussed seasonal shifts in toxin timing and the difficulty of predicting blooms. Staff were asked to include recent sampling data and any DOH advisories in the committee’s next written update and to notify relevant partners if elevated counts reappear.
