Our Department works in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health to ensure that the public can harvest recreational shellfish safely. Shellfish from different areas of the County are collected on a routine basis from April to October, and sent to the Public Health Lab where they are analyzed for biotoxin levels. Based on the biotoxin levels, the State may close certain areas for certain species. We continue to monitor, and when biotoxin levels return to a safe level the area will be reopened. For the most current information regarding closures, and the harvesting of recreational shellfish, see the Shellfish Safety Map.