Clarifying mussel regulations

The California Department of Public Health has issued its annual quarantine on the collection of mussels intended for human consumption. The quarantine is usually in effect from May 1 through October 31 each year.

The recreational season for California sea mussel (PDF) (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round. Currently mussels should only be collected for non-consumptive uses (for example, fish bait). The daily bag and possession limit is 10 pounds (in the shell) of California sea mussels and bay mussels in combination.

Note that the California Department of Public Health monitors and annually quarantines mussels to prevent human cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid poisoning; however, warnings advising consumers not to eat recreationally taken shellfish may be issued at any time. The annual quarantine is usually in effect from May through October, and applies only to sport-harvested mussels intended for human consumption. For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call the California Department of Public Health's Shellfish Biotoxin Information Line at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133. You can also review CDFW's shellfish health advisories web page.

Please help clarify this regulation. I understand the quarantine is in effect until October, while harvest is legal year round. I'd like to harvest some next time I go diving, away from shore where I'll be comfortable eating some.

Question, is it legal to consume them during quarantine period should one chooses to take on the risk?

With all the other foods in the entire world why would you want to?

Sure, but just know that I'm entering your post for the Darwin Award 

I definitely would not do that. Distance from shore does not decrease chances of a mussel having PSP which can will kill you. There are so many other things you can eat...


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Sure, but just know that I'm entering your post for the Darwin Award 

What do you really think? 

It means just what it says: It's legal to take mussels. It's LEGAL to eat them. It's a VERY BAD IDEA to eat them. If you eat them, they will not toss a citation into your coffin. Big relief, huh?

They still make good bait. Just don't eat them. They can literally kill you dead.  Assuming you don't want to be killed dead, don't risk PSP.

It means just what it says: It's legal to take mussels. It's LEGAL to eat them. It's a VERY BAD IDEA to eat them. If you eat them, they will not toss a citation into your coffin. Big relief, huh?

DFG lets the mussels inforce themselves.   Not  too many repeat offenders. Thats the punishment style we need for big time ab poachers.

Go dig clams,  they are a lot tastier for a little more work.

Ca DFW officer said that the mussels in Humboldt have never tested positive for PSPs, but Crescent city has had a positive. 

Ca DFW officer said that the mussels in Humboldt have never tested positive for PSPs, but Crescent city has had a positive.

Some test reports have been different:

https://thelumberjack.org/2017/03/01/deadly-mussels-in-humboldt-county/

A February cdph report cites Humboldt Bay:

http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/hhsa/pdf/cdph_shellfish_advisory_humboldt_20170217.pdf

It's not worth the chance.

Ca DFW officer said that the mussels in Humboldt have never tested positive for PSPs, but Crescent city has had a positive. 

That's a pretty reckless thing for a warden to say. Even if it's true.

Ca DFW officer said that the mussels in Humboldt have never tested positive for PSPs, but Crescent city has had a positive. 

That's a pretty reckless thing for a warden to say. Even if it's true.

How is it reckless?  He didn't suggest harvesting during quarantine months and it was open anyways at the time.  I encountered him on the North Betty getting some mussels for testing for PSPs

How is it reckless? 

Because it exposes the state to potential tort liability in the event that someone consumes mussels after hearing him say that and gets sick or dead.  There is no upside to him telling you that, only downside.

Thanks all. Just the replies I expected.

I'm just a bit annoyed with lots of what I feel are nonsensicle regs. I can think of lots of things we eat/drink that can potentially kill someone somewhere.

How was eating them on 4/28 any less risky? Or on 11/1? What will it take to close the season so they won't kill Us?

Where do you supposed they're raised/farmed for commercial purposes? Aren't they subjected to similar risks?

Just about everything we harvest have some health advisory. Just to pick 2 extreme examples, catfish from the delta anyone? Mercury laden bluefin at lots of dollars per lb?

I understand the secience behind it but also get DFG attempt to minimize liabilities.

I harvested some in the summer months a few years ago with the intention of using them for bait. A badass diver on the board let me in on how effective it was for a species I was targeting.

They're tasty, but I wouldn't risk my life or quality of life to eat them. Much easier to buy them at costco or wait for the cooler months to sport harvest them.