Located at the Bodega Marine Laboratory in Bodega Bay, the CDFW Shellfish Health Laboratory monitors and diagnoses known and emerging diseases in wild and farmed shellfish throughout the State of California.
Our staff conducts inspections at, and work closely with shellfish farms, marine aquaria, and research laboratories to prevent the introduction and transfer of disease agents and non-native species.
In collaboration with academic institutions and aquaria, we contribute to the recovery of endangered native abalone populations.
The laboratory also provides an early detection program for monitoring freshwater waterbodies throughout California for the presence of invasive freshwater (quagga and zebra) mussels.
Transmission electron micrograph showing a colony of the bacterium (arrow) causing withering syndrome in black abalone gut tissue.