Action: Rescinds biotoxin-related closure of public shellfish beaches in Dabob and Quilcene bays and at Belfair State Park; and opens oyster harvest at Point Whitney Tidelands and Lagoon. Maintains other previously announced shellfish beach closures in marine areas 9 (Admiralty Inlet) and 12 (Hood Canal).
Effective dates: Sept. 3, 2026, until further notice.
Species affected: Clams, mussels, and oysters.
Locations and rules:
- Marine Area 9:
- All public beaches south of a line drawn from Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point: Closed to harvest.
- Marine Area 12:
- All public beaches, except those with current harvest seasons in Dabob and Quilcene bays north of a line drawn eastward from the southern boundary of Seal Rock U.S. Forest Service Campground to Zelatched Point, and Belfair State Park: Closed to harvest.
- Public beaches in Dabob and Quilcene bays north of a line drawn eastward from the southern boundary of Seal Rock U.S. Forest Service Campground to Zelatched Point, and Belfair State Park: Follow seasons listed on WDFW Clam, mussel, and oyster harvest public beach webpages, searchable using the WDFW Find a Beach tool or the Washington Shellfish Safety Map.
- Point Whitney Tidelands and Lagoon: Open to oyster harvest through Sept. 30.
Reason for action: Clam, mussel, and oyster conditions and biotoxin status previously determined by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to be unsafe have subsided in Dabob and Quilcene bays for some species, and in portions of southern Hood Canal, allowing for a lifting of the closure to recreational shellfish harvest from public beaches in these areas. The DOH closure remains in place for butter and varnish clams in Dabob and Quilcene Bays while other species such as Manila clams and Pacific oysters are safe. Belfair State Park is safe and open for all species.
Additional information: DOH advises against harvest and consumption of butter clams and varnish clams in areas that are open to shellfish harvest in Dabob and Quilcene bays. A bivalve shellfish identification guide (PDF) is available online from DOH and WDFW.
This action maintains the previous WDFW closure of a portion of Marine Area 9, but harvesters should be aware of DOH status in other parts of Marine Area 9 before harvesting.
Oyster seasons have been extended at the Point Whitney Tidelands and Lagoon through Sept. 30 to offset lost opportunity there; these beaches remain closed to clam harvest to allow recovery of clam populations. Other Hood Canal beaches may see season extensions when biotoxin status allows for reopening.
Always check the Washington Shellfish Safety Map before harvesting and the WDFW beach page for the beach you are visiting to confirm seasons are open.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Fish Program, 360-902-2700.