Shellfish harvest areas may face restrictions

Increased fecal bacteria may cause harvest changes in Annas Bay and the Hood Canal 6 area near Hoodsport, according to the state Department of Health.

The state analyzed water sample data and found increased levels, the DOH said in a news release April 25.

High fecal bacteria levels can prompt the state to change “harvest classification which could lead to a seasonal, environmental, or year-round closure,” the release says.

Fecal bacteria come from “many different sources throughout the watershed,” Kara Kostanich, with the DOH, told the Journal in an email.

Some pollution is animal waste from agricultural operations, domestic pets, waterfowl, urban wildlife, leaking sewers, faulty septic systems, and boat and recreational vehicle discharges, she said.

“People can do their part by maintaining and repairing their septic systems, picking up pet waste, using pump out stations for boats and recreational vehicles, and managing animal waste from large and small farms,” Kostanich said.

The state does not plan to make restrictions in the Hood Canal 6 shellfish harvest area, according to Kostanich.

“The marine water station currently meets the standards but is near exceeding the stringent public health water quality standards. We send out notification of this increase in fecal pollution so all parties are aware of the conditions and encourage work to identify and correct the pollution problems before harvest restrictions are required,” she said.

Annas Bay did not meet the public health water quality standards based on data collected through 2023, although the area “remains open and safe for harvest,” according to Kostanich.

The DOH will continue to evaluate marine and freshwater quality data, looking at pollution in Annas Bay, to later determine appropriate classification of the growing area, she said.

The DOH doesn’t have a timeline for finalization of harvest changes.