The
California Department of Public Health
(CDPH) coordinates a routine monitoring program along the California
coast to sample mussels and other shellfish like clams and scallops
for the presence of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) and domoic
acid toxins. Commercial shellfish harvesters are also required to
provide weekly shellfish samples to CDPH for PSP toxin assay and
domoic acid analysis. If toxin levels are high enough, warnings and
quarantines are issued to protect the recreational fishing public
and shellfish consumers.
CDPH also has a coastwide, monthly seawater
monitoring
program which
detects the naturally occurring, microscopic algae that produce PSP
and domoic acid toxins. When toxin levels begin increasing, CDPH may
expand its mussel sampling effort to include other seafood species.
If toxin levels increase quickly beyond the federal alert level for
either toxin, then CDPH may immediately issue a health advisory for
all potentially impacted seafood species in the affected region.
This web page was established as a source of
information for fishermen and the fishing industry. When
circumstances arise,
CDPH
warnings, quarantine information, and health advisories about
consuming California's ocean finfish, shellfish and crustaceans will
be posted here.
The
Office of Environmental Health Hazard
Assessment (OEHHA) also issues
consumption
advisories based on the amount of
mercury or other chemical toxins found in finfish, shellfish and
crustaceans.
Safe eating
guidelines to help
you to reduce your exposure to chemicals in sport fish —- fish that
you and your family or friends catch -- are also available from
OEHHA.
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