A Washington state Department of Natural Resources diver is missing and presumed drowned off Bainbridge Island.

Department officials say three agency divers had been conducting geoduck (gooey-duck) sampling in the water Tuesday afternoon. Two divers reportedly surfaced and the third came up briefly, then went under the water. The other two divers began a search and emergency crews were called.

Seattle police and Navy divers helped in the search, which was declared a recovery effort late Tuesday afternoon.

The missing diver was not immediately identified.

KING-TV says the divers regularly check the giant clams for paralytic shellfish poisoning.