Shellfish harvesting closed in Sequim Bay

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• Portage Bay shellfish area on threatened list

  Portage Bay shellfish area on threatened list

  Portage Bay was added to a list of threatened shellfish growing areas after routine water samples were found to have high levels of fecal coliform bacteria.

  The pollution isn't severe enough to restrict or close shellfish harvesting at Portage Bay. The threatened list highlights for policymakers shellfish areas in the state that need to be watched more closely, said Scott Berbells, a growing area supervisor for the state Department of Health.

  Portage Bay was previously on the threatened list from 1997, the year the list was started, to 2006. It was one of nine shellfish areas in Puget Sound and on the Pacific coast that made the threatened list this year. Samish Bay remains on the downgraded status it received in May 2011. That area is subject to temporary closures after heavy rains.

• Samish Bay closed to shellfish harvesting

  Samish Bay closed to shellfish harvesting

  EDISON - Samish Bay was closed Monday, March 12, to commercial shellfish harvesting due to high levels of fecal bacteria, a state Department of Health press release said.

  These closures happen several times a year and typically follow heavy rains, which wash bacteria-laden runoff into the Samish River. State and local officials say failing septic tanks and farm animals are among the sources of the bacteria.

  Past closures have lasted a few days. The bay will reopen to shellfish harvesting when tests of water samples show bacteria counts have dropped to safe levels.

• Bacteria causes Samish Bay closure to shellfish harvesting

  Bacteria causes Samish Bay closure to shellfish harvesting

  Samish Bay has been closed to shellfish harvesting because of pollution, and anything harvested from the area since Tuesday, April 10, will not be sold, according to the Washington state Department of Health.

  Officials closed the bay after high levels of fecal bacteria were found in the Samish River. Protocol requires that the bay is closed when high bacteria levels are found in the river to ensure that contaminated shellfish aren't sold.

  This is the second time this month that the bay has been closed because of pollution. Health officials said this closure was unusual because it wasn't caused by the heavy rains and high water flow usually associated with high bacteria levels. The bay will be closed until further notice, and the source of the pollution will be investigated.

• New shellfish illness topic of Bellingham talk

  New shellfish illness topic of Bellingham talk

  BELLINGHAM - A presentation on diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, recently introduced to the state of Washington, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, in the Fireplace Room at Fairhaven Library, 1117 12th St.

  The first reported case of DSP in the United States originated in Sequim Bay last summer. The presentation by Clara Hard of the state Department of Health will cover what is known about the illness and how public agencies are responding.

  The free event is hosted by Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee and the Whatcom Watershed Information Network. Details: Whatcom County Public Works Department, 360-676-6876.

• FISHING REPORT

  FISHING REPORT

  This is the final week to go crabbing in South Sound. The region closes at sunset Saturday. Puget Sound will be closed to crabbing until summer.