California health officials are urging residents not to eat recreationally harvested shellfish from the coast due to toxic algae that poison marine life.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a quarantine for mussels harvested at all recreational recreation across the coastline from May 1st to October 31st. Another advisory includes clams, scallops and oysters from Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego County.
The warning does not affect commercial shells from certified sources that health authorities say are safe.
Bloom, an unprecedented algae that shows no signs of evaporation, has made and killed thousands of sea lions, dolphins, whales and birds in Southern California in recent months.
CDPH map showing bivalve shell warnings against California. May 2025.
Experts say the algae produces domate acid, a neurotoxin, which is concentrated into small fish such as anchovy and sardines, and is then consumed by marine mammals and birds.
The poison affects the heart and nervous system, causing animals to disorient themselves.
Health officials have not reported human cases of domoacid poisoning in California so far. However, they warn that consuming recreational harvested shellfish can cause serious illness.
“Early symptoms of (shell poisoning) include tingling on the lips and tongue, which can begin within hours or hours of eating toxic shellfish,” CDPH said in a warning. “These symptoms are followed by loss of balance, lack of muscle coordination, lack of speech and difficulty swallowing.”
Mild symptoms of shellfish poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea and headaches. In severe cases, people can become paralyzed and die from asphyxiation.
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