Local shellfish off limits until November – Symptoms of shellfish poisoning are grim
[Posted by Chuck Almdale, suggested by Grace Murayama]
Grace writes in:
In case anyone missed the Los Angeles Times article, in print 5/31/21, “A new state quarantine, but it’s not for that“, re: warning not to eat locally harvested shellfish ( mussels, clams, oysters, scallops), marine biotoxins, algae, domoic acid, paralytic shellfish poisoning, etc.
From the Los Angeles Times:
Officials with the Orange County Health Care Agency, the body tasked with oversight of public health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, on Thursday announced a different kind of quarantine would be imposed through October: on mussels for human consumption.
Through Oct. 31, residents across California are being warned not to eat mussels and other potentially toxic shellfish collected by sports harvesters from coastal waters.
The reason? Harmful marine biotoxins produced by some species of microscopic algae can be absorbed by the digestive systems of mussels, clams, oysters and scallops. The consumption of affected mollusks puts humans at risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning.
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SANTA MONICA BAY AUDUBON SOCIETY BLOG 
Thanks for the insight. I do eat a lot of oysters on the half shell. Will stop until notified
On Wed, Jun 2, 2021, 1:23 PM SANTA MONICA BAY AUDUBON SOCIETY BLOG wrote:
> Chukar posted: ” [Posted by Chuck Almdale, suggested by Grace Murayama] > Grace writes in: In case anyone missed the Los Angeles Times article, in > print 5/31/21, “A new state quarantine, but it’s not for that”, re: warning > not to eat locally harvested shellfish ( mus” >
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Hi Bob:
The warning is really more about shellfish you might gather yourself along the shore, or share with someone else. Shellfish sold in responsible restaurants and grocery stores are supposedly all right. BUT anyone would be wise to check with the outlet and make sure that it really is OK. People do make mistakes!
I don’t eat shellfish, ever, so it’s not a problem for me. But I’d make really sure that the seller or restaurant really do know what they’re doing. If there’s any doubt, better to err on the side of caution. And if you have friends who eat what they gather, alert them to the danger.
Chuck Almdale
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