CDPH Lifts Warning for Sport-Harvested Bivalve Shellfish from Marin and San Mate

June 2, 2026

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) lifted the shellfish safety notifications related to sport-harvested bivalve shellfish from Marin County on May 21, 2026 and from San Mateo County on May 26, 2026.

The safety notification for Marin and San Mateo Counties was issued on March 30, 2026 due to dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in mussels. These naturally occurring toxins can cause illness or death in humans. Recent testing shows paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins have decreased to safe levels in bivalve shellfish in these areas.

While this warning for scallops, clams and oysters in Marin and San Mateo County waters has been lifted, the annual mussel quarantine remains in effect. The annual mussel quarantine prohibits the sport-harvest of mussels for human consumption and applies to all species of mussels harvested along the California coast, as well as all bays and estuaries. The purpose of the annual mussel quarantine, which will continue through at least October 31, is to prevent paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and domoic acid poisoning. Cooking does not destroy the toxins.

There are also shellfish safety notifications in effect warning against eating sport-harvested bivalve shellfish in Del Norte and Sonoma counties due to marine biotoxins. Additionally, there is a razor clam advisory for Humboldt County due to domoic acid.

For the most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines, call CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or view the recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map. For additional information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page.