San Diego City Wire

The County of San Diego has issued a public warning against consuming locally harvested mussels, clams, scallops, or oysters unless purchased from a state-certified commercial shellfish harvester or dealer. This advisory follows the detection of high levels of domoic acid, a toxin linked to amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), in these shellfish within San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara counties.

Domoic acid, a toxin occurring naturally, poses a risk of illness or fatality in humans, and cooking such seafood does not neutralize the toxin. Symptoms of ASP can appear within 30 minutes to 24 hours of consumption and may range from nausea and dizziness in mild cases to more severe consequences such as seizures, memory loss, coma, or death.

Shellfish that have been commercially purchased from approved sources, like markets and restaurants, are deemed safe, as state-certified dealers are subjected to regular testing. Local information regarding ASP is available online, and sampling by the California Department of Public Health will persist to assess when it is safe to resume consuming sport-harvested shellfish.

The department also provides a toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 and further details on the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page.

Marine mammals are susceptible to domoic acid, and the public is advised to maintain a safe distance from such animals. Reports of sick marine animals can be made to SeaWorld Rescue at 800-541-7325, and deceased animals can be reported to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at (858) 546-7162. Additional local information on zoonotic disease is accessible online.