Statewide annual mussel quarantine was lifted at midnight

The statewide annual mussel quarantine was lifted at midnight on Oct. 31, 2021. The quarantine, which is a yearly event that happens due to dangerous levels of biotoxins that may be present in mussels, is normally in effect from May 1 through Oct. 31. Before visiting the coast, bays, inlets or harbors to collect mussels, which have a daily bag and possession limit of 10 pounds in the shell, be sure to have your California fishing license and to check the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website for possible quarantines at: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/394836318cfe4f7494e1c09097a43559
 
Quarantines protect the public from shellfish poisoning caused by marine biotoxins. Concentrated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins and domoic acid can develop in mussels and other shellfish when they feed on certain naturally occurring marine plankton. For more information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program’s Annual Mussel Quarantine – Frequently Asked Questions at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DRSEM/Pages/EMB/Shellfish/Annual-Mussel-Quarantine.aspx