WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
NEWS RELEASE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
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December 31, 1996
Contact: Chuck Bolland, (360) 902-2255

Some shellfish beaches open tomorrow, others close

OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has enacted emergency rules to close some public Puget Sound beaches to recreational harvest of clams and oysters. At the same time, WDFW is opening other beaches to harvest. The actions are being taken to conserve the resource while providing harvest opportunities.

The following clam beaches are opened as of 12:01 a.m. January 1, 1997:

  • Ala (Ben Ure) Spit, near Deception Pass - Open January 1 through April 15.
  • Brown Points (DNR 57B), on Hood Canal - Open until further notice.
  • Eagle Creek, on Hood Canal - Open January 1 until further notice.
  • Long Point, on the east side of Whidbey Island - Open January 1 through April 15.
  • Mystery Bay State Park, on Marrowstone Island near Port Townsend - Open April 1 until further notice.
  • North Sequim Bay State Park, north of the boat ramp at Sequim Bay State Park - Open April 1 until further notice.
  • Port Townsend Ship Canal East, between Oak Bay and Port Townsend Bay - Open April 1 until further notice.
  • Potlatch State Park, on southwest Hood Canal - Open until further notice.
  • Potlatch (DNR tidelands), at Potlatch State Park - Open until further notice.
  • Rendsland Creek, on southeast Hood Canal - Open January 1 through April 15.
  • Scenic Beach State Park, on Hood Canal near Seabeck - Open April 16 until further notice.
  • Sequim Bay State Park, near city of Sequim - Open April 1 until further notice.
  • South Indian Island County Park, near Port Townsend - Open until further notice.
  • Useless Bay State Park (Double Bluffs), on Whidbey Island - Open April 1 until further notice.
  • West Dewatto (DNR 44A), southeast Hood Canal - Open January 1 until further notice.
  • Winas Maylor Point East, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station- Open through April 15.
  • Wolfe Property State Park, north of the Hood Canal bridge - Open April 1 until further notice.
The following clam beaches are closed as of 12:01 a.m. January 1, 1997:
  • Gertrude Island, near McNeil Island - Closed January 1 until further notice.
  • Kopachuck State Park, in Pierce County - Closed until further notice.
  • McNeil Island - Closed January 1 until further notice.
  • Mukilteo State Park, near city of Mukilteo - Closed January 1 until further notice.
  • Pitt Island, west of McNeil Island - Closed January 1 until further notice.
The following oyster beaches are open as of 12:01 a.m. January 1, 1997:
  • Point Whitney Lagoon, near the Point Whitney Shellfish Lab - Open January 1 until further notice.
  • Potlatch State Park, southwest Hood Canal - Open January 1 until further notice.
  • Scenic Beach State Park, near Seabeck on Hood Canal - Open April 16 until further notice.
  • West Dewatto (DNR 44A), southeast Hood Canal - Open until further notice.
The following oyster beaches are closed as of 12:01 a.m. January 1, 1997:
  • Brown Point (DNR 57B), on Hood Canal - Closed until further notice.
  • North Bay Oyster Reserve, on Case Inlet - Closed January 1 until further notice.
  • Wolfe Property State Park, north of the Hood Canal Bridge- Closed January 1 through March 31, 1997.
The recreational harvest of Puget Sound shellfish by persons 15 through 69 years of age requires a valid Personal use Shellfish/Seaweed license. The license costs $5 and is available at any Department of Fish and Wildlife regional office, the Olympia headquarters office or any license retailer.