Sport-Harvested Mussel Quarantine Lifted Along Parts of the California Coast

October 28, 2015

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith announced the annual quarantine on mussels gathered by sport harvesters will be lifted at midnight Saturday, October 31, 2015, along the California coast except along Del Norte, Humboldt, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Barbara counties.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins have not been detected in recent mussel samples along the coast; however, domoic acid has persisted in a variety of seafood samples from the counties included in previous health advisories.

The quarantine and previously announced health advisories remain in effect for mussels and other seafood species from Del Norte, Humboldt, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Barbara counties.

The August 26 health advisory for Humboldt and Del Norte counties remains in effect and warns consumers not to eat recreationally harvested bivalve shellfish, such as mussels, clams, or whole scallops. The July 3 health advisory for Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Barbara counties remains in effect and warns consumers not to eat recreationally harvested mussels, clams and whole scallops, commercially or recreationally caught anchovy and sardines, or commercially or recreationally caught crabs taken from these counties. CDPH is continuing its efforts to collect a variety of samples from these areas to monitor the level of domoic acid present.

The annual quarantine on sport-harvested mussels, which typically runs May 1 through October 31, is intended to protect the public from PSP and amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). There have been no reports of shellfish-related poisoning in California during this quarantine period.

PSP is a form of nervous system poisoning. Concentrated levels of the toxins can develop in mussels and other bivalve shellfish when they feed on certain naturally occurring marine plankton. ASP, also known as domoic acid poisoning (DAP), has been linked to another type of marine plankton consumed by filter-feeding animals, like bivalve shellfish. Domoic acid has been linked to numerous poisonings of marine mammals along the Pacific Coast.

So it looks like San Mateo County is still open right?

Got a new recipe I want to check out....mussel chowder with uni cream

What about sonoma county?  And does stormy weather change the considerations quarantine considerations?  Putting aside that practically more difficult to harvest during storm . . .

Am considering some mussel rock picking this Sunday or Monday, but weather doesn't look nice

I don't think demonic acid cares where the county borders are...I'd wait until we get a few rough weeks of big swell & wind.

I read that Domoic acid also affects crab. Not in the meat but the guts

As long as ducks dont get it, I will be fine 

I don't think demonic acid cares where the county borders are...I'd wait until we get a few rough weeks of big swell & wind.

Yeah, strong rumors of crab season being delayed. Seems like much of the crab being tested is coming up positive. That can and does change quickly with a little weather.

Generally does stormy weather abate domoic acid buildup?
Trying to plan my rockpicking for next week, can maybe reconfig event to Thur or Fri . . . if its even worth it. 

I want mussels bad, but i don't want a bad visit to ICU

I read that Domoic acid also affects crab. Not in the meat but the guts

Allowable is 30ppm guts and 20ppm meat.  Lab tests should be back any minute now, we will know soon.

I read that Domoic acid also affects crab. Not in the meat but the guts

Allowable is 30ppm guts and 20ppm meat.  Lab tests should be back any minute now, we will know soon.

Awesom! What areas were sampled?

I read that Domoic acid also affects crab. Not in the meat but the guts

Allowable is 30ppm guts and 20ppm meat.  Lab tests should be back any minute now, we will know soon.

Awesom! What areas were sampled?

CC, eureka, ft Bragg, bodega that I know of and I assume points south as well. Results go to CDPH and it's their job to issue an advisory or quarantine. Hopefully results leak out as soon as they are in. So many people are anxious over this.

Crabs declared ok to eat except in Del Norte, Humboldt, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Barbara counties...but that's apparently due to a lack of resources to do the tests down here?
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/NR15-080.aspx

Thanks for the link!

The results from the latest tests on crab still aren't released. CDPH is saying midweek they will make the determination.

Strong rumors flying around this evening that the local tests don't look good. Likely postponement of the opener. Should know for sure tomorrow.