Watch CBS News

California Ends Annual Mussel Quarantine

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California is ending its six-month annual quarantine on mussels in all but two coastal counties.

The state Department of Public Health says the ban on sport harvesting of mussels ends at midnight Wednesday in most waters.

However, the quarantine continues for mussels caught in Del Norte and Humboldt counties. Authorities say those still carry dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins.

The toxins are linked to plankton consumed by the mussels.

The quarantine usually runs from May through October.

Commercially harvested shellfish aren't included in the quarantine because they are subject to other safety measures.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.