Mussel Quarantine Issued For California Coast

LOS ANGELES (AP) — State and county health officials are warning recreational shellfish gatherers that it is unsafe to harvest shellfish from the California coast.

The California Department of Public Health says elevated levels of two toxins have been detected in mussels along the coast – and severe poisonings could result in death.

The department's annual quarantine usually takes effect from May through October, but testing found the toxins in mussels. There is no known antidote to the toxins.

The quarantine includes all bays, harbors and estuaries. Commercially-harvested shellfish are not included in the quarantine.

Consumers of sport-harvested clams or scallops are advised to eat only the white meat and discard dark-colored organs and viscera before cooking.

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