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In Washington, when is recreational scallop harvest safe from biotoxins?

Never, DOH says it's never safe.

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  1. Every winter
  2. Never, DOH says it's never safe ✔
  3. When the water is clear

Why: DOH says recreational scallop harvesting is never safe and lists scallops closed even when other shellfish are open.

Huh, didn't know that: In 2024, every rock scallop DOH tested from Strait of Juan de Fuca divers had unsafe PSP levels.

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References

Answer: Never, DOH says it's never safe. DOH says recreational scallop harvesting is never safe and lists scallops closed even when other shellfish are open.

  1. Washington DOH Marine Biotoxins doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/shellfish/recreational-shellfish/illnesses/biotoxins
    Recreational scallop harvesting is never safe
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Washington DOH Marine Biotoxins doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/shellfish/recreational-shellfish/illnesses/biotoxins
    If algae that produce biotoxins are in the water, shellfish will concentrate the toxins.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. Washington DOH Marine Biotoxins doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/shellfish/recreational-shellfish/illnesses/biotoxins
    In 2024, all rock scallops tested for PSP [...] had both adductor and viscera at unsafe levels.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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