Local
Tomales Bay oyster harvest halted as Marin investigates sewage spill near Olema
Hog Island Oyster Co. has paused harvesting and removed about 200,000 oysters from the market after a sewage spill near Olema prompted state officials to close Tomales Bay shellfish-growing areas. The company says it knows of no illnesses and considers its growing beds far from the spill, but is acting cautiously while testing and repairs continue.
Hog Island Oyster Co. has temporarily stopped harvesting in Tomales Bay and withdrawn about 200,000 oysters from the market after a sewage spill near Olema prompted the closure of shellfish-growing areas across the bay.
The company said Wednesday it pulled oysters harvested from Sept. 14 through Oct. 12 as a precaution. It said it does not believe the spill threatened its growing areas, which are about 15 miles from the release site, and that no illnesses have been reported.
The spill occurred Oct. 9 at Due West Tavern, inside Olema House. Marin County said a septic-system leak sent sewage through a drainage pipe and into Olema Creek, which flows into Tomales Bay. The California Department of Public Health then closed all shellfish-growing areas in the bay.
Olema House general manager Frank Caiazzo said the spill resulted from a cracked storm drain. He said the county was testing water near the hotel and that the hotel was working with county environmental health officials. Marin County Environmental Health Services Deputy Director Greg Pirie said the sewage release had been stopped, but the system would remain out of operation until repairs were complete.
Hog Island said it learned of the spill from the state health department. The withdrawal covers roughly 200,000 oysters, according to the company’s director of science and policy, Gary Fleener.
The company plans to supply its Bay Area restaurants with oysters from its Humboldt Bay farm and partner farms while Tomales Bay harvesting is suspended. Fleener said he expected harvesting could resume sometime between the following week and the end of October, subject to testing and state approval.
Other local businesses are also changing their menus. Nick’s Cove in Marshall said it would not serve Tomales Bay oysters until the state authorizes growers to resume harvesting, and would offer oysters from the Pacific Northwest in the meantime.
The suspension affects a local source of shellfish for Hog Island restaurants, including Tony’s Seafood in Marshall. The state closure remains in place while county officials work with the property owner and a contractor on repairs and continue monitoring conditions.