Fecal pollution and bacteria restrict Washington shellfish harvest areas

Julia Dallas
·2 min read

Fecal pollution will lead to harvest restrictions in three of Washington’s 115 shellfish growing areas.

The Washington State Department of Health completed its annual water quality evaluation and found high bacteria levels in three areas and 14 areas that meet water quality standards but are threatened due to bacterial pollution. Restrictions will be placed by August 2023, said the DOH in a news release on Wednesday.

“State health officials are working with county partners, other state agencies, shellfish growers, and tribal governments to find and fix pollution problems,” said the DOH.

The shellfish areas with restrictions are in Mason County, specifically:

  • Portions of Annas Bay

  • Hood Canal 5 - Lilliwaup area

  • Hood Canal 6 - Tahuya area

The areas that meet water quality standards but are threatened with pollution are:

  • Clallam County – Dungeness Bay

  • Grays Harbor County – Pacific Coast

  • Kitsap County – Liberty Bay

  • Mason County – Annas Bay, Hood Canal 6, Oakland Bay

  • Pacific County – Bay Center

  • Pierce County – Burley Lagoon, Henderson Bay, Vaughn Bay

  • San Juan County – Upright Channel

  • Snohomish County – Port Susan

  • Thurston County – Eld Inlet

  • Whatcom County – Drayton Harbor

Starting in 2011, the department has invested around $38 million from the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Estuary Program and an additional $5.5 million that was awarded in 2023 to 11 proposed projects throughout Puget Sound, according to the DOH. The grants go toward pollution identification and correction projects, septic system management programs, research, shellfish protection districts, and more.

“Our state’s collaborative approach toward water quality improvement has led to the successful reopening of many shellfish harvesting areas,” said Scott Berbells, Shellfish Growing Area Section manager. “Clean water is the result of everyone doing their part.”

The DOH also recommends that people maintain their septic systems, pick up pet waste, use pump-out stations for boats and recreational vehicles, and manage animal waste from large and small farms.