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Dungeness crab fishing remains closed along parts of Humboldt and Mendocino coast over dangerous toxin
Domoic acid has prompted state health officials to close Dungeness crab fishing along parts of the Humboldt and Mendocino coast.
People hoping to catch Dungeness crab along parts of the Humboldt and Mendocino coastline are facing a public health closure, with California officials warning that some crab contain a toxin dangerous enough to make people seriously ill.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife expanded a recreational Dungeness crab fishing delay on November 5th after testing found elevated levels of domoic acid. The affected stretch now runs from the southern boundary of the Reading Rock marine protected areas in Humboldt County south to the southern boundary of the Ten Mile State Marine Reserve in Mendocino County.
Recreational catching or possessing Dungeness crab in those closed waters is prohibited until state health officials determine the risk has passed.
State issues stronger warning about eating crab
On November 9th, the California Department of Public Health reinforced the warning, telling consumers not to eat any part of sport-harvested Dungeness crab caught within the affected coastal stretch, including both meat and internal organs.
Domoic acid is a naturally occurring marine toxin that can build up in shellfish. Exposure may cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness. More serious poisoning can lead to seizures and memory problems, and in extreme cases it can be fatal.
Cooking does not remove or destroy domoic acid. The state advises against eating crab caught in the closed area rather than trying to make it safe through preparation.
What about other parts of the North Coast?
The recreational Dungeness crab season opened November 7th in many other California coastal waters, but restrictions remain. Traditional recreational crab traps are prohibited until at least January 1st, 2027, with hoop nets and loop traps allowed where the season is open and other regulations are met.
The commercial Dungeness crab season is also delayed in the state's affected fishing zones until at least January 1st because of concerns about marine mammal and sea turtle entanglement, a separate issue from the toxin closure.
Because boundaries and restrictions can change during the season, anglers should check the latest rules before going out. For updates on domoic acid fishery closures, call CDFW at 831-649-2883. California Public Health's biotoxin information line is 800-553-4133.
Sources
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, November 5th closure announcement
California Department of Public Health, November 9th consumption warning
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, current crab fishery status