BEACH ADVISORY NOTICE 1/05/26 
The Salinas River lagoon is under advisory due to high indicator bacteria found in recent samples taken. The beach will remain under advisory until samples indicate that indicator bacteria are at a safe level for recreational water contact according to state guidelines. 
Higher levels of bacteria have been associated with the increased potential risk of illness. Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations Section 7958 establishes bacterial standards for ocean water at beaches that are 1) visited by more than 50,000 people annually; 2) located adjacent to a storm drain (i.e. culvert. creek, or stream etc.) that flows during the summer. Therefore, when bacterial levels exceed bacterial standards an advisory is issued, and beaches are posted with an advisory notice. 
There are various sources of bacteria such as marine life (i.e. seals, otters, and birds) and other animals; rainfall runoff; storm drains; and human activity. Rainfall is associated with increased bacterial levels due to runoff particularly in the area of manmade and natural storm drains such as culverts, streams and rivers. 
It is recommended that you do not swim in or have contact with storm drain water. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa or chemicals may contaminate storm drain water, and contact with storm drain water may cause illness. 

For the latest information about beach postings or closures based on the most recent bacteriological test information, call the Beach Condition Hotline 831-755-4599.

	Asilomar Beach		Monterey State Beach
	Carmel Beach At Ocean Avenue		San Carlos Beach
	Lovers Point		Spanish Bay
	Monterey Municipal Beach At The Wharf		Stillwater Cove

Tsunami Advisory Information

Due to the recent tsunami advisory from the National Weather Service, remember it is best to stay out of the water all alerts are lifted. Stay informed and be prepared when visiting coastal areas.  Check you local emergency management for current information.

 The National Weather Service offers helpful tips, safety guidance, and easy-to-understand graphics to help you understand tsunami risks and how to respond effectively.

View NOAA Tsunami Safety Information

CONTACT WITH CONTAMINATED OCEAN WATER MAY CAUSE ILLNESS.

Annual Quarantine of Sport-Harvested Mussels Begins May 1 

2023 Annual Mussel Quarantine

 2023 Annual Mussel Quarantine - English Spanish

2023 Background Information - English

2023 CDPH Annual Mussel Quarantine Letter - English

California Beach Water Quality Monitoring & Strong Pollution Prevention Measures

California has some of the most popular beaches in the country. Over 150 million day visits are generated by tourists and residents use them annually to swim, wade, surf, and dive. Beach visitors spend over $10 billion each year in California. For this reason, beach water quality monitoring and strong pollution prevention measures are critical for protecting beach goers from waterborne diseases. Indicator organisms from warm-blooded animals (total coliform, fecal coliform, E. coli, and enterococcus) may not cause disease in humans, but their presence tells us that water may be contaminated with organisms that do cause health impacts ranging from fever, flu-like symptoms, ear infection, respiratory illness, gastroenteritis, cryptosporidiosis, and hepatitis. We use indicator bacteria because direct identification of pathogens, such as viruses in ocean water is difficult, time consuming, and expensive. Not only can humans be affected by these organisms in the ocean, but research into the cause of mortality among the threatened southern sea otter population, shows that infectious agents have been caused by protozoal parasites and bacteria that are spread by fecal contamination of near shore marine waters by terrestrial animals.

• Beach Advisories or Beach Postings occur when at least one bacterial standard from the Ocean Water Contact Sport Standards issued by the California Department of Health Services, has been exceeded. Warning signs alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact. The placement of signs may be short term or more permanent where monitoring indicates repeated contamination (e.g. from a storm drain). Warnings may be posted where sources of contamination are identifiable and can be explained as not of human origin (e.g., resident marine mammals or seabirds) or of an unknown source.
• Beach Closures occur as a result of a known sewage spill that has the potential to reach coastal waters. A closure is a notice to the public that the water is unsafe for contact and that there is a high risk of getting ill from swimming in the water. When a beach is closed, signs are posted alerting the public to stay out of the water.
• Rain Advisories can be issued when it rains because it is known from past experience that rainwater carries pollution to the beach. After a rainstorm, bacteria levels usually exceed the State standards for recreational water use due to untreated storm drain flows that may contact motor oil, pet waste, pesticides, and trash.

Pre-4th of July Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) assessment map

You can view the map on the California HABs Portal here. If you have any questions/comments about the pre-holiday HABs assessment map, please contact:

• Marisa Van Dyke - marisa.vandyke@waterboards.ca.gov
• Ali Dunn -  ali.dunn@waterboards.ca.gov, and/or
• Michelle Tang -  michelle.tang@waterboards.ca.gov