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Rocky seaweed covered beach at low tide

Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program

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Attention Beach Lovers!

 

​We are seeking adults, 18+ in Skagit County who are interest in public health and the Salish Sea.

Volunteers will learn about PSP, DSP, and its effect on humans, how to identify our local clams, and about Shellfish industry processing in our area.

The marine Biotoxin Monitoring program assists the WA State Department of Health monitor local recreational shellfish harvesting beaches during the HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms) season.

The volunteer time commitment for this program includes completing the 2-day training, then approximately 4 to 6 hours a month from mid-April through September (during daytime low tides).
Volunteers with their teammate(s) will harvest, by hand, the shellfish present at their assigned local Skagit beaches which are then sent to the Dept. of Health Lab to be tested for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) and Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning.  PSP is a serious illness caused by eating shellfish that have consumed large amounts of toxins. DSP has recently been detected in Puget Sound waters.  Regular monitoring allows a quick response of closing beaches when toxins levels are high to assure the safety of the public's health.

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Skagit County Logo

Training 

The 2 days of training are held in early spring, between mid-March and the end of April. The dates will be selected based on the tides.

The first training is done virtually and the second training is done on the beach during a low tide.

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For more information contact Carla Glassman,

at Skagit Conservation District


Phone 360-708-2360  

or e-mail: carla@skagitcd.org

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