Public invited to Aug. 5 virtual hearing
OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is looking for public feedback on a proposed year-round closure to recreational scallop harvesting to reduce the risk of public exposure to biotoxins and support public health.
If adopted, the closure would take effect as soon as late-December 2026 and would apply to all recreational scallop harvesting in Washington marine areas, both by divers and in intertidal areas. The closure would apply to rock, weathervane, and swimming (pink and spiny) scallops. Commercial scallop harvesting is already strictly regulated, opened only by emergency rule and requiring harvesters to submit samples to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to test for biotoxins such as paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).
Scallops can collect higher biotoxin levels and retain them for longer than other shellfish. Recent research has shown that the adductor muscle, the most commonly eaten part of a scallop, is also a biotoxin risk — not just the organs, as previously thought.
“This proposal aims to protect public health and aligns with established DOH guidance that scallops recreationally harvested in Washington are not safe to eat,” said Chris Eardley, WDFW’s Puget Sound shellfish policy coordinator. “PSP levels in species like mussels, oysters, and clams — which DOH regularly tests for potential health risks to people — don’t correlate with scallop PSP levels, making biotoxin monitoring difficult. Developing a robust scallop monitoring program comes with a range of challenges, and because scallops are so difficult to sample and test regularly, it is not possible to ensure harvest areas are safe.”
The proposal is available now for public review and comment. More information is posted on the 2026 recreational scallop harvester rule-making webpage.
WDFW will host a virtual public hearing on the proposed rule changes at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5. Register for the meeting through Zoom.
People can comment until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, through WDFW’s Public Engagement Portal; by email; by voicemail to 855-925-2801, project code 5532; or by mail to WDFW Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 43152, Olympia, WA 98502.
A public hearing is also planned for the Sept. 10-12 Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting, and the Commission is expected to decide on the proposal during its Oct. 9 web conference. Check the Commission webpage later for meeting agendas.
This rule would apply to state-managed recreational scallop harvest. Treaty tribes also reserve rights in treaties to harvest shellfish in many locations. More information is available on the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission website.
All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.