How does this affect me?
Closures of shellfish beds are tragic from historical, ecological,
economic, community, gastronomic and trade perspectives.
Historic Tribal and First Nation's Use of Shellfish
Shellfish
have been a mainstay of western Washington's Indian Tribes and
BC's First Nations for 12,000 years. The relative ease with which
large amounts could be harvested, cured, and stored for later
consumption made shellfish an important source of nutrition –
second only in importance to salmon. Shellfish are used for subsistence,
economic, and ceremonial purposes. Both shellfish and salmon have
always been key domestic and commercial products of Indian and
First Nation's economies. More than one half the Coastal First
Nations in BC are involved in commercial shellfish production.
Shellfish harvested by Pacific NW tribes, First Nations and other
commercial growers are highly sought after throughout the United
States, Canada and worldwide. International trade is growing in
importance. Tribal representatives have gone on trade missions
to China and other Pacific Rim nations where Pacific Northwest
shellfish – particularly geoduck – are in great demand.
Community Economic Loss
Each time a shellfish growing area closes, there are multiplier
effects that strip income from our rural communities. This includes
revenue loss from shellfish sales themselves, possible termination
of previous contractual agreements due to supply uncertainty,
and reduced income for community businesses that rely on shellfish
grower's income: banks, restaurants, accountants, recreational
equipment providers, health care providers, and so on.
For example, in May 2005, more than 400,000 gallons of manure
from a Whatcom County dairy spilled into Drayton Harbor, which
had just reopened after years of restoration work. Oysters already
shipped to China had to be recalled in Hong Kong, and the Drayton
Community Oyster Farm lost several thousand dollars in addition
to cancelled sales for six weeks running from this one time event.7
Gastronomic and Restaurant Losses
The Puget Sound Georgia Basin is currently one of the largest producers
of shellfish in North America. When supplies are interrupted due
to closures, restaurants both locally and overseas are denied this
treasured culinary treat. Culinary tourism and restaurant receipts
generally rank only second to lodging and figure prominently in
defining a sense of place through food traditions. Average visitor
spending in Puget Sound for food and beverage exceeds $1.7 billion
annually.
8 Tourists come
to the Pacific NW not only to luxuriate in our spectacular beauty,
but also to enjoy our food traditions in which shellfish holds iconic
status.
Recreation
Thousands of local residents and visitors enjoy digging shellfish
at local beaches and shoreline environments. We are indelibly
connected with our natural environment and with each loss of access
and ability to share these treasures, we lose something that can
never be restored. In some communities, shellfishing is a major
tourism draw as well, with enhanced revenue production in lodging,
food, related recreation and supplies. In 2005, Washington State
Department of Fish and Wildlife collected nearly $500,000 in licensing
fees for shellfish and seaweed.10
When shellfish beds are closed, revenues are reduced accordingly.
In addition, each year, thousands of people participate in shellfish
celebrations that raise money for non-profits, engage communities
(e.g. Oysterfest 
and other community festivals) and segue nicely with the growing
interest in local food and connecting people with local foods
and traditions.
Ecosystem Effects
Because shellfish feed on phytoplankton in the water column, they
help to assimilate some of what they take in and pass on the rest
as digested and undigested material that settles to bottom sediments.
This helps improve water clarity, transfers nutrients (energy/food)
to bottom sediments and allows greater light penetration for seagrass
and other vegetated habitats. These processes also help to counteract
the effects of excessive nutrient loading from human land use and
waste management practices, which can lead to low levels of oxygen
in marine water (no oxygen, no life). High quality shellfish beds
are an important benefit and use of our beaches and estuaries and
also provides an important indicator of water quality.
9
Illness and Death
Consuming shellfish that is contaminated with pathogens or biological
toxins can lead to fever, vomiting, and stomach cramping. Paralytic
shellfish poison and other biotoxins can even prove fatal if not
dealt with immediately.11
Shellfish