The Salish Sea’s Silent Crisis: Yessotoxins and Shellfish Die-Offs
The Salish Sea, an inland waterway in Washington State, supports diverse shellfish species harvested for commercial, recreational, subsistence, and cultural purposes. As the nation’s largest producer of farmed shellfish, Washington contributes over 3,200 jobs and $270 million annually to the economy. However, summer shellfish die-offs have been reported for nearly a century, with limited success in mitigation. In 2016-2017, a major mortality event revealed yessotoxin, produced by harmful algae, at levels of 2.20 mg/kg in shellfish—enough to cause die-offs. From 2021-2023, researchers found yessotoxin levels ranging from undetectable to 2.36 mg/kg, with all South Salish Sea samples containing quantifiable levels. This highlights a stronger link between yessotoxin exposure and shellfish die-offs than previously recognized. As climate change, urban runoff, and drought increase biotoxin risks, these findings emphasize the urgent need to protect food security and sovereignty for communities relying on shellfish as a dietary staple.

About the Speaker

Dr. Misty Peacock is a toxicologist and the Director of the Salish Sea Research Center at Northwest Indian College in Bellingham, Washington. With commitment to Indigenous knowledge and community-based research, Dr. Peacock’s work empowers students as Indigenous scholars by providing culturally relevant opportunities to engage in scientific exploration. Her research specializes in freshwater and marine biotoxins, focusing on their transfer through the marine food web and their impact on shellfish—a critical resource for coastal communities.
Dr. Peacock collaborates on community-identified projects that prioritize food and data sovereignty, partnering with diverse organizations to address pressing environmental challenges. By advancing monitoring and management strategies for harmful algae, her work aims to mitigate biotoxin risks and protect marine ecosystems. Through her leadership, Dr. Peacock fosters a dynamic network of students, researchers, and community partners working together to safeguard the ecological and cultural health of the Salish Sea.
Environmental Speaker Series
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