Juneau shrimp fishery closed, clam harvest carries PSP warning

Two shellfish restrictions are in effect for Juneau-area waters: sport and personal use shrimp fisheries in the Juneau and Tenakee area remain closed until further notice, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is warning harvesters away from clams on any local beach because no Juneau-area waters are regularly tested for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins.

The department's July 21 report states: "ADF&G does not recommend harvesting clams from any waters in the Juneau area due to the possibility that the clams may contain Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins. Currently, no beaches in the Juneau area are monitored on a regular basis for PSP toxins. If you harvest, you do so at your own risk of PSP poisoning." Sporadic sampling has been conducted by the Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research (SEATOR) project, but clams of any species and at any time during the year may still contain toxic levels of PSP.

Shrimp fishing remains open outside the closed areas; permit holders must obtain a free shrimp permit and report their harvest at harvest.adfg.alaska.gov regardless of whether they fished. Area Management Biologist Daniel Teske can be reached at (907) 465-8152.