Shellfish Laws and Rules to Protect Public Health

Commercial Shellfish

Recent Rulemaking Changes

Chapter 246-282 WAC, Sanitary Control of Shellfish, states the requirements that commercial shellfish operations must follow. DOH recently updated those rules. A summary of the changes and educational documents of the changes can be found below: 

• Weed Seed Guidance
  • Seed Size, Aquaculture, and Wild Seed Guidance (PDF) | Spanish - Español (PDF) 
• Transplant Guidance
  • Shellfish Transplant Guidance (PDF) | Spanish - Español (PDF)
  • Shellfish Transplant Guidance - Transplant versus Wet Storage Tree | Spanish - Español (PDF) 
  • Transplant Tag Example | Spanish - Español (PDF)
• Tag Guidance
  • Tag Updated Guidance (PDF) | Spanish - Español (PDF)
• Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) Guidance
  • Vp Control Plan Updates Guidance (PDF) | Spanish - Español (PDF)
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Updates
  • WAC Definition Updates (PDF) | Spanish - Español (PDF)

Resources to Comply with WAC 246-282

• National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish, FDA - 2023 Revision (PDF)
• Vibrio Control Plan Rule Requirements

Chapter 69.30 RCW, Sanitary Control of Shellfish

Recreational Shellfish

Chapter 246-280 WAC, Recreational Shellfish Beaches

Rule Revisions

PSP Testing Fee Rule Revision

Sanitary Control of Shellfish Rule Revision

Program Fees Rule Revision

2023 Model Ordinance Adoption

2025 Vp Emergency Rule Adoption

More Resources

Commercial Shellfish

Recreational Shellfish

Water Quality and Restoration for Shellfish Growing Areas