CDPH Lifts Warning re Certain Shelfish from Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Sonoma

June 26, 2018

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) lifted health advisories today related to sport-harvested bivalve shellfish in Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Sonoma counties. The advisories are being lifted for whole scallops and all clams. They were issued due to dangerous levels of naturally occurring paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins that can cause illness or death. Recent testing shows PSP toxins have decreased to safe or undetectable levels.
 
The CDPH warning against eating sport-harvested razor clams from Del Norte and Humboldt counties due to dangerous levels of domoic acid remains in effect. So does the statewide  annual quarantine on sport-harvested mussels.
 
These warnings do not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters from approved sources. State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins.

PSP toxins affect the central nervous system, producing a tingling around the mouth and fingertips within a few minutes to a few hours after eating toxic shellfish. These symptoms are typically followed by loss of balance, lack of muscular coordination, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing. In severe poisonings, complete muscular paralysis and death from asphyxiation can occur.

You can get the most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines by calling CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133. For additional information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page or the CDPH Annual Mussel Quarantine - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page.

The is great news.  Can't wait to get some gaper clams.