Our mission is to protect the habitat of Puget Sound tidelands from the underregulated expansion of new and intensive shellfish aquaculture methods. These methods were never anticipated when the Shoreline Management Act was passed. They are transforming the natural tideland ecosystems in Puget Sound and are resulting in a fractured shoreline habitat. In South Puget Sound much of this has been done with few if any meaningful shoreline permits and with limited public input. It is exactly what the Shoreline Management Act was intended to prevent.
Get involved and contact your elected officials to let them you do not support aquaculture's industrial transformation of Puget Sound's tidelands.
After failed years of trying to decrease the number of reported cases of vibriosis caused by oysters harvested from Washington state's water, the Department of Health has decided to become proactive. They should be congratulated. Now, instead of waiting for people to become ill and then retroactively closing harvest areas, they will now require harvest areas to close if temperatures reach levels they deem warm enough, detailed in their recently released Vp Control Plan.
Note: Comments on the VP Control Plan will be taken through February 25. To submit comments on the plan,click here.
“We’re excited about the change."
Bill Dewey, Taylor Shellfish
A rule even the shellfish industry likes?
Anyone involved in trying to regulate the shellfish industry is fully aware of their being "troubled" over regulations which impact their operations. But in this case, Bill Dewey with Taylor Shellfish was quoted in the Skagit Valley Herald as saying, "We're excited about the change." If it works as anticipated, the estimated 11,000* people who contracted vibriosis from Washington oysters will also be excited, for those who do not contract the disease in the future.
*The Skagit Valley Herald noted 76 reported cases of vibriosis occurred last year. According to the Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control estimates there are 156 unreported cases for each reported case.
The $10,000,000 bug
Using figures developed by the Center for Disease Control, the DOH has estimated vibriosis creates a $10,000,000 medical expense annually for those who contract the disease. This figure includes hospitalization and appointments with doctors. DOH anticipates a dramatic drop in that expense - if the plan works as they hope.
The cousin nobody wants
is now in Puget Sound.
A cousin nobody wants lurking in the shadows
DOH deciding to become proactive will have benefits far greater than preventing cases of vibriosis from Vp. A cousin to Vp in the Vibrio family of bacteria carried in oysters is one far more deadly, Vibrio vulnificus. Until now this bacterium was only a significant problem in oysters harvested from the warmer Gulf Coast waters, so much so that California banned their import during the warm summer months. Until 2 years ago it was not felt to be anything oysters from Puget Sound's cooler waters would carry. But that changed in December of 2013 when DOH issued a report confirming that Vv had been found in Washington oysters. As temperatures continue to rise and waters continue to warm, the reality grows that Vv will show up in more and more oysters harvested from Washington and become a far more significant problem than vibriosis.
Is a thermometer really an added expense to complain about?
Some are concerned the added cost of a thermometer, and its having to be calibrated to ensure accuracy, is an expense some shellfish growers may not be able to afford. Perhaps those shellfish growers should ask the families of those who have become ill with vibriosis, or worse, whether a thermometer is really an expense to complain about.
Update 8/14: Ranchers leave organization after DBOC owner Kevin Lunny mails letters without consulting other ranchers, purporting to represent the Association.
In protest of letters and documents being mailed without consulting ranchers who belong to the Point Reyes Seashore Ranchers Association, over half of the members have resigned. It has come to light that the letter referenced below, asking the Drakes Bay Oyster Company "cannery" buildings be retained, was mailed by a sub-committee headed by Kevin Lunny whose ranch would benefit the most. Another document referenced in the resignation letter was one which had additional comments added which were reported to have been written by Drakes Bay Oyster Company attorneys, added after the original document had been signed off on by members, again without consulting other members.
Copied below is the resignation letter and explanatory comment from the West Marin Citizen social media site, followed by an image of where the ranches are located. Cut off from the bottom is the following:
"But reckless is how Drakes Bay Oyster Company has behaved, disregarding the ranchers with whom they share our publicly owned Point Reyes Peninsula."
Copy of resignation letter sent to the Association.
Outlet for beef products is proposed on Drakes Estero
The National Park Service has been asked to prevent the buildings used by Drakes Bay Oyster Company from being disassembled. The Point Reyes Seashore Ranchers Association is requesting NPS consider retaining the buildings which include processing facilities, a small retail stand, housing and trailers, and restroom facilities. It is felt by the Association the retail outlet could be used to sell beef products such as beef jerky, the restroom and running water could be used by kayakers and visitors, and the housing could be used by ranch workers or others looking for inexpensive housing in west Marin County.
Structures in disrepair seen at high tide,
a level which will only rise with time and storms.
Are these buildings worth saving?
As seen above the buildings have not been kept in the best of shape by the current tenant. The expense of repairing and making safe any of the structures is unknown, as is who would incur the cost. Perhaps more important is the rising sea level, something which already results in the retail outlet being flooded at the higher tides, as seen above and below in pictures taken last December.
High tide, on a calm day, in December 2013
floods the building. The public
restroom facility is seen in the background.
Water and restrooms on a rising tide - a healthy proposition?
As noted above, included in the suggestion is retaining the retail outlet and the public restroom facility and running fresh water. The latter are felt to be useful for kayakers and others who visit the site. In addition to the location's remote location is the that higher tides already flood the retail facility and, as seen above, come close to doing the same for the public restrooms. Agencies responsible for food and water safety will all need to consider whether these buildings are worth saving.
Tacoma-Pierce Health Department has announced the Department of Health has closed Carr Inlet to all harvesting of shellfish due to elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. PSP toxins were one of the reasons China banned the import of shellfish from the West Coast. PSP toxins cannot be made safe by cooking.
Information on recreational harvesting may be found on a new Department of Health interactive map on their Shellfish Safety Information website. To be automatically notified by TPHD when a food safety or health event occurs, you may register on their web site, found by clicking here.
Recreational Harvesting Information
(interactive map image from DOH website)
(click to enlarge)
Note: Commercial and recreational harvest alerts may be different. For example, DOH recommends all shellfish harvested recreationally from June to September be cooked thoroughly in order to avoid vibriosis. Commercial harvesters must stop harvesting all together when levels or illnesses in a growing area reach pre-determined levels.
[Update 2/20: The Department of Health continues to maintain a harvest advisory for the area 2 miles south of the naval facility north to the Hood Canal bridge. In addition, they continue the emergency closure of the intertidal and subtidal area along the eastern shoreline adjacent to the naval facility. As of 2/20 the Department of Ecology (DOE) has not publically released results of its water samples.]
Harvest Advisory/Closure as of 2/18
(From DOH website 2/20)
USS Ohio Nuclear Submarine
Returning for Servicing
to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor
Passing Through the Hood Canal Bridge
Background/Update
On February 11 an estimated 2,000 gallons of "oily bilge water" from a naval ship was discharged into Hood Canal while being serviced at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. Presumably it was one of the Ohio-class "Trident" nuclear submarines. The naval facility is located on the Kitsap Peninsula on the shoreline of Puget Sound's Hood Canal and services the entire Pacific Fleet of the Ohio-class nuclear submarines. Initially the Navy estimated the spill to be only 150 gallons, an amount disputed a short time later by the Department Ecology who estimated the spill to be close to 2,000 gallons. The next day the Navy agreed that the spill was more likely to be 2,000 gallons. Whether more could have been done had the Navy been aware the spill was more than ten times larger is not known.
Bangor Naval Base - Service for
Ohio-class ("Trident")
Nuclear Submarine Fleet
Agency Response
The Department of Health (DOH) has stated they are awaiting test results from the Department of Ecology (DOE), expected Tuesday morning, before deciding what more to do. Until then they are advising commercial shellfish harvesters with beds from 2 miles south of Bangor to the Hood Canal bridge - a distance of 12 miles - to also wait for the results before harvesting shellfish. DOH closed the intertidal and subtidal areas at the base "...along the eastern shoreline of Hood Canal within the Hood Canal 2 Shellfish Growing Area." (see below for complete email sent to shellfish growers Friday, February 14th). It was not clear whether the Department of Health was separately testing water quality and shellfish tissue. Clean up is apparently being left in the hands of naval personnel. Whether China will take an interest in how shellfish safety is being attended to is unknown.
In-field evaluations from our partner agencies have not identified any significant intertidal impacts from this spill. The Department of Ecology has collected a sample of the spilled material and is analyzing it in their laboratory. We hope to have results by Tuesday morning. Oil booms remain in place around the spill site and the Navy is continuing to try to collect the remaining oil in this area. The majority of recoverable product has been collected. We will continue to keep the shellfish harvest advisory in place until we can evaluate the results from the samples collected by the Department of Ecology. This advisory covers the area two miles south of the Navy base north to the Hood Canal Bridge. In addition to this advisory we are closing the intertidal shoreline and subtidal areas at the Bangor Navy Base, along the eastern shoreline of Hood Canal within the Hood Canal 2 Shellfish Growing Area, to commercial shellfish harvest. We will continue to keep you informed.
[Update 12/17:The Olympian has reported that the Department of Health has narrowed down the area which the geoduck with elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PST) were harvested from. One is in Poverty Bay, located north of the old ASARCO plant. The actively harvested "Redondo" tract was closed in 5/31 due to elevated levels of PST (97) then reopened again 6/14. It was unknown whether elevated arsenic levels were found in this shipment, but in the 1997 NOAA report noted below the highest levels of Arsenic in sediments were found in core samples 5 and 6 (see graph in post below). As noted as recently as this month in the on-line version of Science of the Total Environment: "The American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) smelter in Ruston, Washington, contaminated the south-central Puget Sound region with heavy metals, including arsenic and lead."]
Why so surprised?
The recent ban on importing shellfish harvested from Washington state due to elevated levels of Arsenic and paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) found in geoduck shipments should come as no surprise to agencies nor the industry. In fact, it is better to ask the question of why it took so long for the Chinese to get upset. Fingers pointing to whether the Chinese know how to test shellfish should also be directed to those agencies responsible for overseeing food safety in the United States and shellfish harvested from Puget Sound.
Measurements of Arsenic in Puget Sound Core Samples
Elevated levels of Arsenic in Puget Sound sediments is old news to NOAA
Since 1997 NOAA has been aware of elevated levels of Arsenic in Puget Sound's sediments, concentrated highest in those sediments north of the old ASARCO plant in Tacoma. Operating for almost 100 years, the once largest smokestack in the United States discharged arsenic, lead, and a variety of other chemicals into the air. From there the prevailing winds carried the discharge plume north over Puget Sound where the chemicals and metals gradually settled out of the air into the waters of Puget Sound and onto the adjacent lands where they sometimes remained, other times washed into the various bodies of water, both fresh and marine. Rainfall only hastened the deposits. As seen in the graphs above, over time sedimentation buried those deposits. But they did not go away, leaving the highest concentrations remaining in depths of 30 to 50 centimeters, or 1 to 2 feet undisturbed. Until geoduck harvesting began.
Commercial geoduck harvesting
from subtidal sediments.
Geoduck burrow into deeper sediments which, when harvested, overturn those sediments and reintroduce them to the water column
Geoduck are the largest burrowing clam in the world, burrowing into the sediments to depths of 3 feet. There they grow up to 7 pounds in weight. During harvest, a water jet is used to dislodge the sediments surrounding the geoduck from which it is pulled. As seen in the short video clip above, all sediments down to the depth of the geoduck are disturbed. When the geoduck is pulled out large amounts of sediment enter the water column, along with anything else they may happen to contain. From there they drift and settle, in some cases being taken in and absorbed by marine species in the area, such as geoduck. Through their indiscriminate filtering, metals and chemicals may be absorbed and retained, in turn taken in by those who may happen to eat parts in which they are retained.
Just because you don't see it
doesn't mean it's not there.
Who tests the sediments and how deeply are they tested? Oakland Bay's lesson
The Department of Ecology generally oversees sediment testing. However, testing is typically within the upper few centimeters, not deeper where past industrial activities may have resulted in higher discharges than currently taking place and where things may have settled, to be buried over time. In addition to the Arsenic found in the 1997 report to NOAA is what was found in the deeper sediments of Oakland Bay near Shelton. Currently producing the largest amount of Manila clams in the United States, the deeper sediments were found to contain elevated levels of Dioxins. Because Manila clams do not burrow as deeply as geoduck it is currently believed these Dioxins will remain in the deeper sediments. But it is an example of what lies below the surface.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning toxins and subtidal tract closures occur often, are occurring now, and is not something new
It should be clear from the number of subtidal tracts which close, open, and close again due to elevated levels of PST that Puget Sound is dynamic and testing for PST is critical. Through the past six months alone there have been over 15 subtidal tracts which were closed to harvesting due to elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins. Currently there are four active tracts closed.
Timing is everything
The challenges of timing and testing are easily seen in tracts closed, opened and closed again. Seen above are two of the currently active subtidal tracts in south Puget Sound which are currently closed - Wyckoff Shoal and Fox Island South. Of importance is the number of times Wyckoff Shoal has been closed and reopened over the past 10 weeks. Closed 9/10, it was reopened again on 9/26. 10/2 it was closed again and reopened 10/29, only to be closed 12/4. Just east of Wyckoff shoals is Fox Island whose active tract was closed 9/13. While the above demonstrates testing is active, it more importantly demonstrates the dynamics of Alexandrium populations and the significance of missing one day, the result being geoduck with elevated levels of PSP toxins arriving in China. Of most significance is the closures/openings demonstrate there are active populations of Alexendrium blooming throughout Puget Sound (see table below for tracts which have been closed, some multiple times, due to elevated levels of PST). *For a map click here where you can enter the name of the tract to find the location.
Redondo (closed 5/31, opened 6/14); Lisabeulla (closed 6/14, opened 8/27, closed 11/18, opened 11/25); Protection Island (closed 6/25, opened 9/10, closed 10/14, opened 10/21); Manzanita (closed 7/1, opened 7/8, closed 9/16, opened 9/23, closed 9/30, opened 10/28, closed 11/12); Buck Bay (closed 7/23, opened 8/6); Siebert Creek (closed 8/12); Fox Island (closed 9/13); Agate Pass/Sandy Hook (closed 11/5); Indianola (closed 11/12, opened 11/19); Apple Cove (closed 12/9)
Testing for Alexendrium Cysts in Puget Sound
Alexandrium and PST no longer appears to be a warm water problem in Puget Sound
From the University of Washington on the Clifford A. Barnes and Alexandrium: We are working on mapping the distribution of Alexandrium catenella cysts in the surface sediments of Puget Sound. This dinoflagellate (type of phytoplankton) has a life cycle where it spends the winter months as a cyst in the sediment and then when conditions are right (warmer for instance) can germinate into the water column and reproduce. [click here for study site] Beyond the closures of subtidal tracts, the awareness of the problem which Puget Sound has regarding Alexandrium and PST is found further in the testing which the University of Washington is doing. Through use of the Cliffor A. Barnes, they are taking core samples throughout Puget Sound to try and determine population "seed beds" of the cysts from which Alexandrium blooms. What is not clear is whether the current closures of subtidal tracts during the colder months means that Alexandrium and PST are no longer a warm water problem.
Poaching and greed presents a problem for everyone, not just the Chinese
On top of the agency awareness of chemcials within the deeper sediments in which geoduck grow and the apparent year round problem which Alexandrium and PST are creating comes poaching. Driven by the unsustainable price of geoduck, based on only what the Chinese are willing to pay, comes greed to "grab what you can when you can." It is next to impossible to guarantee no wild geoduck are harvested illegally. It is too easy for divers to work under the cover of night, hidden in the fog of south Puget Sound, to harvest wild geoduck. Inaccurate reporting of harvest volumes allows poached geoduck to be claimed as legally harvested and exported, arriving on China's doorstep with elevated levels of Arsenic and PST. When tested and found, is it any wonder China questions who is doing what?
This bubble too shall pop
The geoduck industry is not sustainable and it will collapse on itself, leaving Puget Sound's tidelands the victim
Whether it be the current situation or the elevated level of education making the Chinese population aware that geoduck are not the equivalent of Viagra, this bubble too shall pop. Left in its wake will be thousands of PVC used currently to grow intertidal, and perhaps soon subtidal geoduck. A few will have been made wealthy, able to walk away from long term leases and the mess left, leaving the taxpayer and tideland owners to clean up afterwards. Maybe some should be thanking China for bringing this to a head.
[Update 10/4: Flooding and heavy rainfall continue to keep some growing areas closed to all shellfish harvesting. As examples, portions of Burley Lagoon, Henderson Inlet, Oakland Bay and Samish Bay remain closed. Recreational harvesters should check the DOH website for updated information.]
On October 1, Washington's Department of Health lifted the closures to commercial harvesting of oysters due to vibriosis which was traced to oysters harvested from the following growing areas in Washington's Puget Sound. Included were:
Burley Lagoon (Pierce County), Hammersley Inlet (Mason County), Oakland Bay (Mason County), Peale Passage (Mason County), Pickering Passage (Mason County), Reach Island (Mason Couty), Totten Inlet (Mason County), Dabob Bay (Jefferson County), and Samish Bay (Skagit County). Popular names of oysters from these areas include "Totten Virginicas", "Pickering Sweets", "Oakland Bay Kumos" or "Hammersley Oysters."
Steps taken to control vibriosis from the consumption of raw oysters harvested by certified growers in Washington continues to fail in its attempt to lower the number of cases. Between 2006 and most recently reported numbers in 2013, cases of vibriosis traced directly to Washington state oysters have risen from just over 50 to near 80, a near 60% increase. The Huffington Post has recently reported vibriosis from oysters harvested from the east coast have also increased.
A naturally occurring bacteria, Vibrio blooms with each summer's warming temperatures. Some have blamed the genetically modified triploid oyster being more "palatable" to consumers during the summer, resulting in an increased number of raw oysters being consumed. Bob Rheault with the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association claims Vibrio may be becoming "more virulent" or the numbers are only "statistical noise."
At the end of October the FDA and industry will meet for the biennial Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference where they will once again attempt to come up with a means to control this increasing number. To date, controls proposed by the FDA have been met with strong resistance from the industry who believe an "economic hardship" will result if the current "reactive" methods in place are changed to a more "proactive" focus (e.g., forcing post harvest processing to kill the bacteria in all oysters harvested during the "no R" months or, in the extreme, banning the sale of oysters from raw consumption during the warm summer months from areas consistently shown to result in vibriosis).
Vibriosis Contracted from Washington Oysters
The Washington Department of Health has reported that vibriosis has been contracted from oysters harvested from Peale Passage in Washington state. As a result, the Department has closed this growing area to the commercial harvest of oysters until September 30.
Contact: Cari Franz-West at 360-236-3330, Cari.Franz-West@DOH.WA.GOV.
Recreational harvesting information is available at www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.htm.
Peale Passage, Washington
Between Squaxin and Harstine Islands
This follows on the heels of Burley Lagoon having also been closed, along with a large area of southern Puget Sound which has commercial harvesting of oysters closed for over a month now. Oysters grown in this area include names such as the Totten Virginica, Shelton Kumamoto and Pickering Sweets, distributed throughout the country.
Growing Areas in South Puget Sound
Closed to the Commercial Harvest of Oysters
Consuming any food has risks. Consuming raw oysters during the summer months ("no R") increases that risk. As noted in the Huffington Post, increasing that risk is rising water temperatures which enhances the environment in which the naturally occurring bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus grows. Based on the past and current harvest and handling methods it can be guaranteed vibriosis will be contracted from Washington state oysters harvested during the summer.
Reported infections from Vibrio bacteria in oysters are soaring
[Update 8/18: Food World News reported erroneously that Drakes Bay Oyster Company oysters had caused the California Department of Health to close their operation due to vibriosis traced to their oysters. Their mistake has caused a flurry of attorney calls, emails, retractions, and accusations from DBOC owner Kevin Lunny that it was part of a perceived conspiracy to "damage our business". Fervent supporters Jane Gyorgy and Sarah Rolph also responded with dismay. With the warm summer temperatures not yet over it may have been better for all to let a mistake be recognized as such.]
[Update 8/17: The Department of Health has closed Samish Bay, Reach Island, Hammersley Inlet, Totten Inlet, Oakland Bay and Pickering Passage growing areas to the commercial harvest of oysters due to reported illnesses traced to oysters harvested from those growing areas. Recreational information may be found on DOH website.]
The Department of Health has issued a warning to consumers telling them to stop eating raw oysters due to the risk of contracting vibriosis from them. August 13, The Seattle Times wrote:
Reported infections from Vibrio bacteria are soaring in King County.
State health officials expect the number of illnesses to rise in the next few weeks due to projected warm temperatures and midday low tides.
Every summer the pattern repeats, in greater numbers each year
Vibriosis is caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus which is a naturally occurring bacteria which increases dramatically every summer. Bacteria within oysters, natural filter feeders, increases further when day time low tides expose them to the sun. Every summer the pattern repeats with people becoming ill, followed by after the fact closures. The difference is each summer more people become ill.
For each case reported an estimated 142 are unreported
Megan Kay epidemiologist at Public Health — Seattle and King County, estimates that for every reported case there are an additional 142 which go unreported. The Center for Disease Control also estimates the same number are unreported.
Increasing risk
In California, disease from Vibrio vulnificus (a more virulent strain of vibrio) was brought to zero by banning the import of untreated oysters from the Gulf States during the warm summer months. With the increasing use of genetically modified "triploid" oysters they become more palatable during the summer months (they are sterile so do not "spawn" and become milky). This in turn leads to increased numbers of people being put at risk, especially those whose immune systems are suppressed or who simply take antacids (acid helps to break down the bacteria). This on top of warming waters from climate change leads to increasing risk and increasing illness.
Economic hardships
To date the industry has resisted firmly what is the logical step, treating oysters to kill the bacteria before they enter the food stream, as California requires those from the Gulf States to be. While industry complains of economic impacts to their companies, there is also an economic cost to families, the health system, and companies impacted from people who contract vibriosis.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that illness contracted from consuming raw shellfish rose 43% in 2012. In comparison to other food borne diseases, Vibrio related diseases have continued to increase despite assurances from the shellfish industry that they do not need any further oversight. Relative to other forms of bacterial caused disease transmitted through food, those related to Vibrio have increased far more than any others.
Relative rate of increase/decrease
of food borne illnesses. Vibrio is contracted
primarily through the consumption
of raw shellfish, usually oysters.
(from CDC press release, 4/19/2013)
Of the two types of Vibrio, vulnificus (Vv) and parahaemolyticus (Vp), the latter was by far the greatest cause of illness. The former (Vv), while causing fewer illnesses in number, is far more deadly, with an estimated 50% of those contracting the illness passing away.
Bob Rheault, Executive Director
East Coast Shellfish Growers Association
In response to the announcement, Bob Rheault, Executive Director of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, stated the reason for the increase was that more people are eating raw oysters (or maybe more contaminated oysters are being eaten?). In an article posted on "MarketWatch" he states production has increased by 10% (not quite explaining how that led to a 43% increase). He also went on to say in the article that, “Unfortunately a lot of our demographic is old white guys with liver failure.” [click here for article]
Those with weakened immune systems (e.g., organ recipients who take immune suppressant drugs or "old white guys with liver failure") are more susceptible to the disease. Also related, but not mentioned, is that genetically modified oysters which are sterile no longer "plump" or become "watery" during the summer months when spawning normally occurs, creating a larger "firmer" supply being available during the warmer summer months when Vp or Vn are more likely to exist in larger quantities within oysters.
Washington's Department of Health and Washington shellfish growers are currently holding what may be termed emergency meetings on how to control something which to date they have been unable to. Despite new management protocols having been implemented after a 2006 spike in illnesses traced back to Washington oysters, vibriosis from Washington oysters continues to increase.
Laboratory Confirmed Cases of Vibriosis
From Washington Oysters
What may help is if the attitude expressed by Brian Sheldon, oysterman from Willapa Bay, changes. At a meeting of shellfish growers last year, this note was made in the minutes in response to support having been expressed the previous month for a refrigerated truck having been purchased:
Brian asked that it [reference to the refrigerated truck] be stricken from the record because it gives the impression that the industry supports the changes that require refrigeration to transport oysters and that the industry is "caving in" to unfounded safety concerns along the WA Coast.
Is this really a good idea?
The City of Shelton will hold a public hearing March 29 at 2PM on a proposal by Chelsea Farms to place a shellfish nursery in the Oakland Bay Marina, on the shores of Shelton. Shelton Harbor's waters are currently classified by the Department of Health as "Prohibited." The upper sediments in Shelton Harbor contain elevated levels of Dioxins and cPAH which at low tide are easily churned by prop wash from boats launched or in the marina (see table above, click here for DOH report). Boats currently moored at the marina are painted with antifouling paint which is designed to slough off to prevent barnacle and algae from growing, with these chemicals entering the water. A boat launch and well used parking lot are immediately adjacent to the facility. Fueling of boats and discharges from bilges is routine, as in any marina.
Location of Chelsea Farms
proposed shellfish nursery.
But one of many.
In addition to Chelsea Farms, Hamma Hamma oyster is also reported to have an operating nursery in the marina. More importantly, Chelsea Farms' current proposal is only one of a number of nurseries reported to be planned for other marinas throughout Puget Sound.
Is this what a marina is for?
Is a marina really where a shellfish nursery should be located? Isn't a location away from contamination, out of harms way, a better idea? And what of the public's access to the marina's facilities if shellfish nurseries proliferate? Related, will the shellfish industry be idle if their "seed" is found to retain the myriad of chemicals found in any marina or near any large parking lot along the shoreline and be unusable?
A better suggestion.
As noted in the application, there is an existing nursery facility located 1/2 mile east. Wouldn't it be smarter to expand the existing facility which is out of harms way instead of putting shellfish in the cross hairs of a chemical soup?
Existing nursery facility.
And, by the way, where are all those shellfish going to go?
Chelsea Farms states that by utilizing nurseries, hatchery production will be able to increase 10 fold, stating "if a hatchery could produce 70 million 6mm oysters a season, by outsourcing the nursery phase to growers that same hatchery could produce 700 million 2mm oysters." (Note: Using Chelsea Farms' numbers, put another way, at 250 oysters per grow-out bag, the number of grow-out bags used would increase from 280,000 to 2.8 million.)
Where would 2.8 million extra grow out bags go?
Is this oyster really safe?
"The Department of Health Office of Shellfish and Water Protection recommends that people not harvest or eat fish or shellfish from Shelton Harbor and/or other areas that are prohibited for harvest because of bacterial pollution. If you’re concerned about contact with sediments, the Department of Health recommends that you rinse your hands and feet with clean, potable water after recreational contact with the sand, sediment, and water from this area." [click here]
Brian Sheldon, Northern Oyster Company: "Industry is caving in"
Public Involvement: Contact Rick Porso at DOH - rick.porso@doh.wa.gov (reference "Vibrio Rule Making")
To be made part of what the State Board of Health has described as a "collaborative rule making with a stakeholder committee process to develop the proposed rule," the public is encouraged to contact Rick Porso by email, or by mail at:
Rick Porso
Department of Health, Office of Shellfish and Water Protection
P.O. Box 7824
Olympia, WA 98504-7824 Why the proposal?
Despite a March 2009 revision to safety regulations, Washington's shellfish industry has failed to reduce Vibriosis contracted from Washington oysters. In fact, the State Board of Health notes it has "steadily increased." As a result, the Department of Health has asked the State Board of Health to modify state regulations to better protect consumers. [click here for announcement] Also involved will be the FDA who has been attempting to prevent contraction of vibriosis as well as deaths caused by Vibrio vulnificus (Vv), a more virulent strain of Vibrio spread through oysters harvested in the Gulf states during warm months. Of major concern is the warming water temperature of Puget Sound which will cause the more virulent Vv to begin growing.
"Industry is caving in" (Brian Sheldon, Northern Oyster Company, Willapa Bay)
For the sake of all those who have become ill, and to prevent future illnesses and associated economic loss, it is hoped the attitude of the shellfish industry will be more cooperative than that reflected by Brian Sheldon, owner of Northern Oyster Company in Willapa Bay. At the August Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association meeting he complained that comments made in the July meeting about another grower purchasing a refrigerated truck to help keep temperatures down and Vp from growing made it appear industry was supporting safety concerns. He demanded those comments be stricken from the notes of the July meeting because it made it appear "industry is caving in." No doubt he was also worried it would impact his "business plan" as he claims Japanese eelgrass has.
Why should it matter to the public?
Beyond the attitude reflected by Mr. Sheldon, the shellfish industry has also stymied FDA attempts to communicate to the public the dangers in disease contracted from the consumption of shellfish contaminated by Vibrio. They felt these attempts to help maintain food safety created an "economic hardship" for the industry (see Issue Paper below). There is apparently little concern to the economic hardship incurred by individuals, families, government agencies, and taxpayers when contaminated oysters enter the market and cause outbreaks.
Governor Gregoire's recent funding of hatcheries which produce genetically modified triploid Pacific oysters will only make matters worse. These genetically modified oysters grow faster, and as they are sterile, maintain their "firmness" during the warm summer months. When combined with NOAA and the Governor pressuring agencies to lessen regulations, a significant risk to an increase in Vibriosis related disease is apparent, and why the State Board of Health has acted to control what the industry cannot. Unfortunately, the new regulations developed under the "collaborative rule making" process outlined will not be finalized until early 2014, leaving the summer of 2013 one to remember.
The Department of Health has closed Samish Bay to commercial harvesting of shellfish due to vibriosis contracted by people who consumed oysters harvested from the area. It will remain closed until October 1. Last year outbreaks of vibriosis and resulting closures of commercial harvesting areas, including Samish Bay, caused China to recall all oysters harvested from Washington state [read here].
Taylor Shellfish's processing plant in Samish Bay.
(from Google Earth, 8/25/11)
Unlike fecal coliform, Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) is a naturally occurring bacteria in Puget Sound. Unlike fecal coliform, every summer Vp numbers increase in the water column. Oysters and other shellfish then filter Vp from the water. If the shellfish are undercooked or eaten raw, it may cause vibriosis. In addition to Samish Bay, Vp has already caused Oakland Bay, Totten Inlet, Dabob Bay, and areas in Hood Canal.
Whether the apparent increase in outbreaks and significant closures are the result of an increase in Vp, additional monitoring, the increase of triploid (genetically modified) oysters which are more "edible" during summer, or a combination is not known.
For a report from August 23 listing all areas closed and why, see the Olympic Penninsula Environmental News here. It does not include the most recent Samish Bay closure but does include areas closed for other reasons (e.g., biotoxins).
Department of Health contacts for various closures follow. Closure Explanations and Program Contacts:
The ecological, economic and recreational impacts from the sinking of the 128' derelict vessel Deep Sea in Penn Cove are significant. Species resident and migratory to Penn Cove have been impacted. All shellfish operations in Penn Cove have been closed by the Department of Health. Recreational harvesting of shellfish and enjoyment of the water has been curtailed.
Could DNR have prevented this from happening? It is unlikely given how restrictive state laws are (see RCW 79.100.040). Added to the complexity is the Port of Seattle having been the initial lead agency overseeing Deep Sea's sale and removal from Fisherman's Wharf.
The risks of not acting on removal of derelict vessels in a timely manner are clearly defined in the Derelict Vessel Removal Program brochure (see brochure here). The reality of not acting in a timely manner is now unfolding in Penn Cove.
To help prevent another similar event there are important questions which DNR's Aquatics Division and the Port of Seattle should be asked:
1. DNR's December 7, 2011 "Vessels Not Yet Completed" report, generated by the Derelict Vessel Removal Program notes, on page 8, the Port of Seattle being the entity working on removing the Deep Sea from Fisherman's Terminal (see here for report). If it was already known the Deep Sea was derelict and a risk to Puget Sound's waters, should closer tracking of where this vessel went been triggered? Articles imply DNR was contacted by Penn Cove Shellfish about where the Deep Sea was anchored, not that DNR or the Port of Seattle was following where the ship went.
2. DNR's March 5, 2012 "Vessels Removed by Authorized Entities" report notes, on page 15, the Deep Sea as being a derelict vessel removed by the Port of Seattle, yet it still notes the "general location" as being the Fisherman's Terminal (see here for report). If it was already known this was a derelict vessel, and if DNR had been working diligently since January to remove it from Penn Cove, why was its location noted as still being at Fisherman's Wharf and not at Penn Cove? (see here for DNR's press release on actions it had been taking)
3. The Deep Sea was initially reported by the owner to have "50 to 100 gallons" of fuel on board. Instead, over 3,000 gallons have been reported removed or leaked, with an unknown amount remaining. Should determining the amount of fuel a derelict vessel contains when it is declared a derelict vessel be part of the process?
4. Related to #3, the Port of Seattle had been the owner of the Deep Sea since 2010. In 2012 it sold the Deep Sea to the current owner for $2,500 as "scrap" after failing to sell it at auction. Was the Port of Seattle aware of what appears to be over $10,000 in fuel on board when it posted the ship for sale on Craigslist? Would the current owner have been more diligent if he had known the potential risk?
5. There is continued fog obscuring what, beyond fuel, is on board the ship. Was it old enough to have asbestos used for insulation? Were there secondary storage compartments containing other fuels divers are currently unaware of? Is there a risk of lead paint leaching into the water of Penn Cove? Whether DNR, the Port of Seattle or the current owner should know these answers will help determine how to respond if a similar sinking occurs in the future.
Ecological events are unfortunate and, in most cases preventable. How significant this event is remains to be seen. What should happen now is to learn from it in order to prevent a repeat in the future.
We are a diverse group of shoreline property owners, fishermen, boaters, kayakers, swimmers, wind surfers, environmentalists--all concerned about the expansion of industrial shellfish farming on the shores of Puget Sound, its impacts to natural beaches of the Sound and to the ecosystems that are at risk, including endangered species.
Affiliate groups:
Case Inlet Shoreline Association Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat
See how current practices of the shellfish industry have impacted the beaches of South Puget Sound.
Click on "Salish Sea" after the "play" button for a full screen view.
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