Southern California Pacific Sardine Domoic Acid Restrictions Lifted
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has lifted the commercial and recreational take restrictions for human consumption of Pacific sardine in the Southern California Bight. This action comes after receiving recommendations (commercial and recreational) from state health agencies that Pacific sardine no longer pose a human health risk caused by domoic acid. In early May, take of Pacific sardine was restricted to bait use only. Recent Pacific sardine samples collected in several locations within the region show concentrations of domoic acid to be below the federal action level. With this announcement, there are no longer human health risk restrictions for the take of Pacific sardine in the area south of Point Conception (34⁰ 27.000’ N. lat.) to the U.S./Mexico border.
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.
A domoic acid bloom in Southern California was detected earlier this year and was associated with a significant number of marine mammal strandings that peaked along Southern California beaches in March. In addition to the Pacific sardine advisory, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued health advisories for the consumption of marine bivalves (e.g., mussels, scallops, and clams) in all Southern California coastal counties due to elevated levels of both domoic acid and paralytic shellfish poisoning. Since then, marine mammal stranding reports have declined and a domoic acid health advisory has been lifted in San Diego County. More information on current health advisories is available on the CDPH website. An annual statewide mussel quarantine issued by CDPH remains in place for paralytic shellfish poisoning from May 1 until Oct. 31.
Fishery information regarding current closures or restrictions due to biotoxins is updated on CDFW’s fishery information and health advisories website.
Domoic acid test results for Pacific sardine are posted on the CDPH Domoic Acid website under Analytical Data - Seafood. For questions regarding sampling and testing programs, including current test results, contact the CDPH.
To get the latest information on current fisheries affected by 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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