Crab Season Delayed

November 5, 2015

The California Fish and Game Commission today voted 3-0 in favor of an emergency rulemaking to prohibit recreational take and possession of Dungeness crab and all rock crab from ocean waters, including bays and estuaries, north of the Ventura/Santa Barbara county line. Closure of the fisheries will remain in effect until the Director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), in consultation with the Director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), determines that domoic acid levels no longer pose a significant risk to public health and no longer recommends the fisheries be closed.

The Commission also directed the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to maintain a list of closed ocean waters of the state and update that list on Wednesday of each week by 1 p.m. It is the responsibility of any person, prior to taking Dungeness crab, to call CDFW's hotline at (831) 649-2883 or visit the CDFW website to obtain the current status of any ocean water.

The recreational Dungeness crab season was scheduled to start Saturday, Nov. 7.

CDPH, in conjunction with CDFW, has been actively testing crabs since early September and results from the most recent tests showed that the health risk to humans is significant. CDHP issued a health advisory on Tuesday. OEHHA followed that with a recommendation for delays and closures of the crab fisheries.CDFW will continue to coordinate with CDPH and OEHHA to test domoic acid levels in crab along the coast to determine when the fisheries can safely be opened.

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin that can accumulate in shellfish, other invertebrates and sometimes fish. It causes illness and sometimes death in a variety of birds and marine mammals that consume affected organisms. At low levels, domoic acid exposure can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness in humans. At higher levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, epilepsy, and can in some cases be fatal.

Domoic acid is produced from some species of the marine diatom Pseudo-nitzschia. Currently, a massive toxic bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia has developed, significantly impacting marine life along California's coast. Biologists tested crab from eight ports from Morro Bay to Crescent City, and determined that domoic acid levels are exceeding the State's action level.

Algal blooms are common, but this one is particularly large and persistent. Warmer ocean water temperatures, due to the El Niño event California is experiencing, are likely behind the large size and persistence of this bloom.

Commercial fisheries are also affected by domoic acid levels. CDFW has the authority to delay or otherwise restrict commercial fisheries, and is developing an emergency rulemaking under that authority. The commercial Dungeness crab season is currently scheduled to open Nov. 15.

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin that can accumulate in shellfish, other invertebrates and sometimes fish.

Anybody have additional info on risk associated with eating fish?

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin that can accumulate in shellfish, other invertebrates and sometimes fish.

Anybody have additional info on risk associated with eating fish?

No, but I sure would like to know. 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I tried to do a search but got nothing definitive or recent.  Maybe one of our marine biologists can chime in?  With the LRC coming up in a week, it would be good to know if we should avoid eating any species in the area.

Martin

I tried to do a search but got nothing definitive or recent.  Maybe one of our marine biologists can chime in?  With the LRC coming up in a week, it would be good to know if we should avoid eating any species in the area.

Martin

Commission Delays Opener of Recreational Dungeness Crab Season and Closes Northern Part of Recreational California Rock Crab Fishery
November 5, 2015

The California Fish and Game Commission today voted 3-0 in favor of an emergency rulemaking to prohibit recreational take and possession of Dungeness crab and all rock crab from ocean waters, including bays and estuaries, north of the Ventura/Santa Barbara county line. Closure of the fisheries shall remain in effect until the Director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), in consultation with the Director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), determines that domoic acid levels no longer pose a significant risk to public health and no longer recommends the fisheries be closed.

The Commission also directed the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to maintain a list of closed ocean waters of the state and update that list on Wednesday of each week by 1 p.m. It shall be the responsibility of any person prior to taking Dungeness crab to call the department’s hotline (831) 649-2883 or visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/health-advisories to obtain the current status of any ocean water.

The recreational Dungeness crab season was scheduled to start Saturday, Nov. 7.

CDPH, in conjunction with CDFW, has been actively testing crabs since early September and results from the most recent tests showed that the health risk to humans is significant. CDPH issued a health advisory on Tuesday. OEHHA followed that with a recommendation for delays and closures.

CDFW will continue to coordinate with CDPH and OEHHA to test domoic acid levels in crab along the coast to determine when the fisheries can safely be opened.

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin that can accumulate in shellfish, other invertebrates and sometimes fish. It causes illness and sometimes death in a variety of birds and marine mammals that consume affected organisms. At low levels, domoic acid exposure can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness in humans. At higher levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and can in some cases be fatal.

Domoic acid is produced from some species of the marine diatom Pseudo-nitzschia. Currently, a massive toxic bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia has developed, significantly impacting marine life along California’s coast. Biologists tested crab from eight ports from Morro Bay to Crescent City, and determined that domoic acid levels are exceeding the State’s action level.

Algal blooms are common, but this one is particularly large and persistent. Warmer ocean water temperatures due to the El Niño event California is experiencing are likely the cause of the size and persistence of this bloom.

Commercial fisheries are also affected by domoic acid levels. CDFW has authority to delay or otherwise restrict commercial fisheries and is developing an emergency rulemaking under that authority. The commercial Dungeness crab season is currently scheduled to open Nov. 15.

###

Media Contacts:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 654-9937

https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2015/11/05/commission-delays-opener-of-recreational-dungeness-crab-season-and-closes-northern-part-of-recreational-california-rock-crab-fishery/

Commercial fisheries are also affected by domoic acid levels. CDFW has authority to delay or otherwise restrict commercial fisheries and is developing an emergency rulemaking under that authority. The commercial Dungeness crab season is currently scheduled to open Nov. 15.

###

Media Contacts:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 654-9937

https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2015/11/05/commission-delays-opener-of-recreational-dungeness-crab-season-and-closes-northern-part-of-recreational-california-rock-crab-fishery/

Commercial is still scheduled to open on the 15th? 

They're already talking to delay commercial 180days!

I also heard the report of 180 days today on KFBK radio.

There goes CRABFEST

I think or Local news scared everyone away from Crab this year.

http://www.ksby.com/story/30451188/high-levels-in-domoic-acid-found-in-certain-crabs-along-the-california-coastline

The 180 days is not a definitive ruling. They simply need to attach a date to emergency actions like this. Typical paperwork. If the weekly tests indicate that the bloom has subsided and domoic acid has cycled out of the crabs, they will open the season with a swiftness! And I am almost certain that the bloom has diminished locally, after some solid NW swell and significant winds on Sunday-Thursday. Water temps have gone down a lot: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=46114
Here's the outter bay water temps: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php?station=46114&meas=wtmp&uom=E&time_diff=-8&time_label=PST 

The 180 days is not a definitive ruling. They simply need to attach a date to emergency actions like this. Typical paperwork. If the weekly tests indicate that the bloom has subsided and domoic acid has cycled out of the crabs, they will open the season with a swiftness! And I am almost certain that the bloom has diminished locally, after some solid NW swell and significant winds on Sunday-Thursday. Water temps have gone down a lot: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=46114
Here's the outter bay water temps: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php?station=46114&meas=wtmp&uom=E&time_diff=-8&time_label=PST

Also depends on how long it takes for the crabs to be cleared of the neurotoxin

Razor clams at clatsop beaches have tested clean for the first time in six months. Relief might be in sight, just needs to clear up a few hundred miles south.

The testing takes 5-7 days to complete, so I bet that HMB is close if not ready to go! Of course I will be gutting crabs alive and then steaming the halfs. Regardless Laura and are in HMB for the weekend!  Come on by and visist, just look for the Finding Nemo flag 

The testing takes 5-7 days to complete, so I bet that HMB is close if not ready to go! Of course I will be gutting crabs alive and then steaming the halfs. Regardless Laura and are in HMB for the weekend!  Come on by and visist, just look for the Finding Nemo flag 

How ya gonna steam crabs if the opener is delayed?

The testing takes 5-7 days to complete, so I bet that HMB is close if not ready to go! Of course I will be gutting crabs alive and then steaming the halfs. Regardless Laura and are in HMB for the weekend!  Come on by and visist, just look for the Finding Nemo flag 

How ya gonna steam crabs if the opener is delayed?

no worries!