Annual Mussel Quarantine & State Advisory Remain in Effect

(Santa Ana) –  Consumers are reminded that the State Department of Health Services has added a ban on consumption of sport-harvested sardines, anchovies and bi-valve shellfish, as well as sport-harvested and commercially caught lobster and crab from Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties to the State’s Annual Mussel Quarantine that took effect April 20th.

Sport harvested means mussels, bi-valve (two-shelled) shellfish, sardines or anchovies that are caught by members of the public or any other person who is not a State-certified commercial harvester or dealer. Bi-valve shellfish sold by State-certified harvesters or dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing and are not subject to this ban.

Orange County Environmental Health is providing notice of the quarantine to local food establishments that sell seafood. During routine inspections, Environmental Health staff will check these facilities to ensure their products are obtained from approved sources.

The actions taken by the State Department of Health Services are due to elevated levels of domoic acid in coastal waters resulting from a bloom of sea algae. State Health officials are concerned about the possibility of people contracting paralytic shellfish poisoning or domoic acid poisoning if the banned mussels, fish or shellfish are eaten. The algae bloom does not pose a danger to swimmers or others involved in ocean water contact recreation.
 

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