BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – While shellfish growing areas around the state are facing new harvest restrictions, Whatcom’s Portage Bay may soon reopen for business.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) detected elevated fecal bacteria levels in the surrounding waters of 15 harvest areas. If imposed, those restrictions could mean a closure of the sites either on a temporary, periodic or year-round basis.

The DOH said the affected areas, which are all outside of Whatcom County, are still currently meeting water quality standards, but that may change.

Named areas are as follows: Upright Channel, Port Susan, Skagit Bay South, Dungeness Bay, Grays Harbor, Pacific Coast in Grays Harbor County, Dyes Inlet, Liberty Bay, Miller Bay, Annas Bay, Hood Canal 6, Bay Center, Wollochet Bay, Eld Inlet and Henderson Inlet.

The good news is water quality has improved in five areas including Hood Canal 3 (Dosewallips area) in Jefferson County, Vaughn Bay and Rocky Bay in Pierce County, and in Portage Bay right here in Whatcom County. 

DOH says water quality results in those areas mean they could soon reopen for shellfish harvesting.