Southern California Pacific Sardine Take Restrictions in Place Due to Public Health Hazard
State health agencies determined that Pacific sardine sampled off Southern California contained elevated levels of domoic acid and recommended a fishery restriction for Southern California for the commercial and recreational take of sardine for human consumption in the area.
Following this recommendation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has enacted a restriction for the commercial and recreational take of Pacific sardine for human consumption in the area south of Point Conception (34⁰ 27.000’ N. lat.) to the California/Mexico border. Take of Pacific sardine for live bait is allowed in the commercial fishery and the recreational fishery can still take and use Pacific sardine as bait.
The current fishery restrictions only apply to Pacific sardine, which has been found to have high levels of domoic acid in samples. This restriction does not apply to other finfish (rockfish, halibut, white seabass, yellowtail, tuna, and others). It is always recommended to consume only the cleaned, skinned, fillets of fish when there are restrictions or advisories for other species. Cooking methods that avoid combining the eaten portion with other body parts are also recommended. More information on current health advisories is available on the California Department of Public Health website. For questions regarding sampling and testing programs, including current test results, contact the California Department of Public Health.
CDFW will continue to coordinate with the state health agencies, California Department of Public Health and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) to test domoic acid levels in Pacific sardine as well as other fish species to determine when the restriction in Southern California can safely be lifted. State and federal laws prohibit the commercial distribution of seafood products for human consumption above federal action levels.
Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by Pseudo-nitzschia, a naturally occurring single-celled marine alga, under certain ocean conditions. Domoic acid can accumulate in fish without the organism itself becoming ill. At low levels, domoic acid exposure can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness in humans. At higher levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and can in some cases be fatal.
Information will be updated on CDFW’s fishery information and health advisorieswebsite.
To get the latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid, call CDFW’s Domoic Acid Fishery Information Line at (831) 649-2883.
For the latest consumption warnings, call the California Department of Public Health’s Biotoxin information Line at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133.
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