Action: Extends clam, mussel, and oyster harvest at Belfair State Park, Point Whitney Tidelands, and Point Whitney Lagoon; and maintains other previously announced changes to public beaches in marine areas 9 and 12.
Effective dates: Sept. 30, 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: 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 public beach pages, searchable using the WDFW Find a Beach tool or the Washington Shellfish Safety Map.
- Point Whitney Tidelands and Lagoon: Open to oyster harvest through Oct. 31.
- Belfair State Park: Open to clam, mussel, and oyster harvest through Oct. 15.
Reason for action: This action is necessary to make up for lost opportunity this summer due to the previously announced biotoxin closure by extending the harvest season at Belfair State Park and Point Whitney Tidelands and Lagoon.
Additional information: Department of Health (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. Learn more about shellfish safety at the DOH recreational shellfish webpage. Learn more about marine biotoxins on the DOH marine biotoxin webpage.
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.
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.
Point Whitney Tidelands and Lagoon oyster season has been extended through Oct. 31 to offset lost opportunity; these beaches remain closed to clam harvest to allow recovery of clam populations.
Belfair State Park clam, mussel, and oyster seasons have been extended through Oct. 15 to offset lost opportunity. Other Hood Canal beaches may see season extensions when biotoxin status allows for re-opening.
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.