Warning: Sport harvested clams, mussels, scallops unsafe to eat

Those who enjoy mussels, clams or whole scallops need to pay attention to where their meal came from. On Friday, the California Department of Public Health announced that recreationally harvested mussels, clams or whole scallops from Monterey County were dangerous to eat.

According to health officials, dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins have been detected in mussels from Monterey Bay. PSP toxins are naturally occurring, and can cause illness or death in humans. Cooking does not destroy the toxin.

The warning does not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters from state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers. By law, only certified harvesters or dealers can sell the bivalves, which is tested frequently for toxins.

A spokesperson from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in Monterey told KION that recreational harvesters are usually experienced and know that episodes of toxins occur periodically.

According to the state’s Department of Public Health, PSP toxins affect the central nervous system, producing a tingling around the mouth and fingertips within a few minutes to a few hours after eating toxic shellfish.

These symptoms are typically followed by loss of balance, lack of muscular coordination, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing. In severe poisonings, complete muscular paralysis and death from asphyxiation can occur.

There have been no reports of illnesses related to this event.

The most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines is available by calling the California Department of Public Health’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133.