CDPH Lifts Warning for Sport-Harvested Bivalve Shellfish from Sonoma County ​

December 29, 2025  

SN25-034

What You Need to Know: CDPH has removed the warning that advised against eating sport-harvested bivalve shellfish from Sonoma County. Recent testing shows paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins have decreased to safe levels in mussels in this area. 

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has lifted the shellfish safety notification today related to sport-harvested mussels, clams, scallops, and oysters from Sonoma County. 

The safety notification for Sonoma County was issued on November 21, 2025, due to dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in mussels. These naturally occurring toxins can cause illness or death in humans. Recent testing shows paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins have decreased to safe levels in mussels in this area.  

The previous warning did not apply to commercially sold mussels, clams, scallops, or oysters from approved sources. State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins. 

Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins affect the nervous system, producing a tingling around the mouth and fingertips within a few minutes to a few hours after eating toxic shellfish. These symptoms are typically followed by loss of balance, lack of muscular coordination, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing. In severe poisonings, complete muscular paralysis and death from asphyxiation can occur. 

You can get the most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines by calling CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or viewing the recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map. For additional information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page.  ​​​​