Health officials have upgraded several local waterways to some recreational; shellfish harvesting, the Clallam County Health and Human Services Department announced last week.

The beaches were previously closed to all species due to the presence of biotoxins.

Sequim Bay and Discovery Bay now are closed to butter and varnish clams only, while the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Dungeness Spit west to Cape Flattery is open to all species.

Dungeness Bay east to Discovery Bay remains closed to all species.

All species means clams (including geoduck), oysters, mussels and other invertebrates such as the moon snail. All areas are closed for the sport harvest of scallops.

These closures do not apply to shrimp.

Crab meat is not known to contain biotoxins, but the guts can contain unsafe levels, health officials say; to be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts (butter).

For more information about this closure, call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 800-562-5632, or visit the Department of Health’s Shellfish Safety website at www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.

These health-related closures are in addition to closures regulated by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Closures can be found on their website at www.wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations.