Don’t eat self-caught SLO County shellfish, CA warns. Here’s why

People should avoid eating sport-caught mussels, oysters, clams and scallops in San Luis Obispo County until further notice, the California Department of Public Health warned Friday afternoon.

Bivalve shellfish recently sampled at the Cal Poly Pier contained dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning, a toxin that can cause illness or death if eaten by humans, the department said.

“Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins affect the nervous system, producing a tingling around the mouth and fingertips within a few minutes to a few hours after eating toxic shellfish,” the release said. “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.”

Bivalve shellfish protect their soft insides with two half shells connected by a hinge. Perhaps the most famous bivalve in San Luis Obispo County is the Pismo clam, whose population recently made a resurgance.

At the Cal Poly Pier, the California Department of Public Health detected paralytic shellfish poisoning levels at 256 micrograms per 100 grams on Tuesday. This was far higher than the alert limit of 80 micrograms per 100 grams.

“This warning does not apply to commercially sold mussels, clams, scallops and oysters from approved sources,” the release said. “State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins.”

For more information, call the California Shellfish Telephone Hotline at 800-553-4133.