CDPH lifts Monterey County sport clam, oyster, and scallop warning

The California Department of Public Health lifted its warning for sport-harvested bivalve shellfish from Monterey County on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, after testing showed domoic acid had decreased to safe levels. The original warning was issued Sept. 14 after dangerous domoic acid was found in mussels from the county. The lift covers sport-harvested clams, oysters, and scallops.

Domoic acid causes amnesic shellfish poisoning. Cooking does not destroy the toxin. Symptoms can appear from 30 minutes to 24 hours after a person eats contaminated shellfish.

The annual statewide mussel quarantine is still in effect. Announced April 24 and effective May 1, it bars sport harvest of mussels for human consumption coastwide, including bays and estuaries. Mussels may be used as bait only, and the quarantine continues through at least Oct. 31. This clearance is recreational only; commercially certified shellfish are tested separately. Separate domoic acid advisories remain for sport razor clams in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Monterey Peninsula Post — Monterey County lifts domoic acid shellfish warning. CDFW notice: CDPH lifts warning about sport-harvested bivalve shellfish from Monterey County.