You can tell that we are entering the time of year that has the really good clam tides, as the California Department of Public Health has issued a press release, repeated here by CDFW: 

"CDPH Warns Consumers Not to Eat Sport-Harvested Bivalve Shellfish from Marin and San Mateo Counties

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, scallops, or oysters from Marin and San Mateo counties.

Dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins have been detected in mussels from Marin and San Mateo counties. The naturally occurring PSP toxins can cause illness or death in humans. Cooking does not destroy the toxin.

PSP 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. 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.

This warning does not apply to commercially sold mussels, clams, scallops, and oysters from approved sources. 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.

You can get the most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines by calling CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or viewing the recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map. For additional information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page. "   

    So you can still dig clams here. You just can't eat them. Apparently, across Bodega Bay in Bodega Harbor it is in Sonoma County and the PSP neurotoxin stops at the county line, so good to go for digestion. According to the press release, clams have not actually been tested. I may dig some up for testing if the State wishes and if a good test would clear the clams. To be determined. But for now, don't eat the clams from here.

     Here it is! Halibut time in Tomales is here! Well,.....no. San Francisco Bay has started in the last couple of weeks and we're generally 4 to 6 weeks behind them.  We're coming. This 16 pound halibut was caught today in the ocean, where they always are. This fish required around five hours to catch it. That ain't good, and this was Gage, and most of us aren't Gage (Thank Jesus. One is insufferable). So, they're coming, but it ain't time yet. This is a sneak peek. Soon, my friends.