Fishing for Mussels

December 29, 2011

Questions: What are the regulations for taking saltwater mussels? Can they be taken year-round or do they have a specific season? (Tom W.)

Answer: Saltwater mussels may only legally be taken by hand and there is no size limit, but only 10 lbs. of mussels in the shell may be taken each day. By law, mussels may be taken year-round, but the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) monitors and annually quarantines the take of mussels for human consumption to prevent cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid poisoning. The quarantine is usually in effect from May through October. Before you go, check with CDPH for daily updated information on quarantines and naturally occurring shellfish toxins by calling their Shellfish Biotoxin Information Line at  (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at  (800) 553-4133 or by checking online at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/healthadvisory.asp.

I was at Sant Cruz wharf and i was looking down at the pilings and notice huge clumps of mussel. Is it legal to harvest them from a kayak?

I would imagine so, they are under quarantine right now, and not tools can be used from what I understand.