Help/Assistance

For assistance information and materials please visit https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/shellfish/commercial-shellfish.

Other sources of help, information, and references:

Helpdesk phone:

(360) 236-3330; or (800) 525-0127 or TTY users dial 711

Tribal Bait Harvest Site Certificate and Bait Harvest Permit

Description/Purpose

The Department of Health (DOH) Commercial Shellfish Licensing & Certification Program is responsible for certifying Washington state commercial shellfish operation sites that are commercially harvested. A variety of species are harvested commercially in Washington's Puget Sound and coastal regions, including oysters, clams, mussels, geoduck, and scallops. Since these species are filter feeders capable of concentrating chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or marine biotoxins, an ongoing evaluation of commercial shellfish growing areas, certified harvest sites, and licensed facilities is essential to protect the shellfish-consuming public.

Costs/Fees
n/a
n/a

Application Information

The application is called 'Application for Tribal Bait Harvest Site Certification and Bait Harvest Permit' is online and can be accessed at https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/shellfish/commercial-shellfish/apply-license.

All operations must meet stringent state and federal sanitation standards.

   Washington State Department of Health
   Account Receivable
   PO Box 1099
   Olympia, WA 98504-7824

Or by email at shellfish@doh.wa.gov

If you already have a Shellfish Operation License and want to add more harvest sites, send your application to:

   Washington State Department of Health
   Office of Environmental Health and Safety
   Post Office Box 47824
   Olympia, WA 98504-7824

Or by email at shellfish@doh.wa.gov

An applicant has the right to an adjudicative proceeding to contest the decision. An adjudicative proceeding is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act Chapter 34.05 RCW.

Permit Timeliness Results

Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average days from Receipt to Complete: 1
Maximum days from Receipt to Complete: 1

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average days from Complete Application to Decision: 34.3
Maximum days from Complete Application to Decision: 56


(Summary results based on 3 submittals in 2020, no data for latest year [2024])

Published Decision Time
n/a

Within 14 days of receipt of complete application and all required fees


Legal authority
Contacts
Department of Health
Office of Environmental Health & Safety
Headquarters
101 Israel Rd SE
Tumwater WA 98501
Email: shellfish@doh.wa.gov
Website: http://www.doh.wa.gov/shellfish
Telephone: (360) 236-3330
Fax: (360) 236-2257
* Credential details last updated 10/20/2022
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