CDPH Lifts Warning for Sport-Harvested Bivalve Shellfish from Del Norte County
September 24, 2025
SN25-022
What You Need to Know: CDPH has removed warnings that advised against eating recreationally harvested bivalve shellfish from the waters of Del Norte County. The
annual mussel quarantine for recreationally harvested mussels along the entire California coast remains in effect.
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has lifted the shellfish safety notifications today related to sport-harvested bivalve shellfish from Del Norte County.
The safety notification for Del Norte County was issued on
July 3, 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.
While this warning has been lifted, the
annual mussel quarantine remains in effect, which means that while scallops, clams, and oysters can be harvested from Del Norte County, mussels remain under quarantine. The annual quarantine prohibits the sport-harvest of mussels for human consumption and applies to all species of mussels harvested along the California coast, as well as all bays and estuaries, and will continue through at least October 31.
A safety notification issued September 9, 2025, for sport-harvested mussels, scallops, clams, and oysters from Humboldt County remains in effect due to the presence of domoic acid in mussels.
This warning does 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.