Crab update...

Do we know when the crab season will open? How did the meeting go?

It will open when the crabs test clean.

Did they say when they will test them next?

Crabfest may turn into plain old crabfest

Do we know when the crab season will open? How did the meeting go?

It will open when the crabs test clean.

Did they say when they will test them next?

Nope.  When it's open, you'll know it ... nothing you, nor I nor the next guy can do to make it happen any faster. 

Crabfest may turn into plain old crabfest

No, you can dress up in a Crab costume and dance around to the sweet sounds of the ukuleles.   

Crabfest may turn into plain old crabfest

CPR Perch-Fest perhaps?  Or how about a sand dab-fest? 

Crabfest may turn into plain old crabfest

CPR Perch-Fest perhaps?  Or how about a sand dab-fest? 

Dab Fest 

Crabfest may turn into plain old crabfest

CPR Perch-Fest perhaps?  Or how about a sand dab-fest? 

If crab is still out, that may happen. I was planning on adding a biggest perch to the event this year.

Looks like commercial are still on schedule.

CRAB, FISHING, MARINE
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/

No way will they close recreational but not commercial. It does not make any sense if they allow commercial to be open. Plus, with caution for the consumption of crabs, I reckon the market wouldn't be so hot for it either.

I'm guessing this just means that the DFW has yet to take any action on the commercial season, since that's not set to open for another little bit here. They officially delayed the open of the recreational season since that was set to open imminently. Agree there's no way they'd let the commercial season open if domoic acid levels are still high.

Does anyone who went to/watched/listened to the meeting know what the plan is for continuing to test the domoic acid levels in the crabs?

The commercial season is handled by another commission, which has yet to meet. They will probably delay the commercial season as well.  Today's meeting was an emergency meeting held by the recreation fishing commission in order to formalize the recommendation by the Health Department to postpone the recreational season.  Since the commercial season isn't starting this weekend the still have time for more data gathering.
 

The commercial season is handled by another commission, which has yet to meet.

Aha, good to know. Did not realize that. Thanks for the info!

They will probably delay the commercial season as well.  Today's meeting was an emergency meeting held by the recreation fishing commission in order to formalize the recommendation by the Health Department to postpone the recreational season.  Since the commercial season isn't starting this weekend the still have time for more data gathering.

Just got the email saying that they're officially delaying the commercial season as well: https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2015/11/06/commercial-dungeness-crab-season-opener-delayed-and-commercial-rock-crab-season-closed/

Note particularly this quote (emphasis mine):

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. Once levels drop and the crab are safe, CDFW will coordinate with the Commission so that the season openers for Dungeness crab ensure an orderly fishery balancing recreational and commercial participation.

Seems to imply they're at least going to consider staggering the recreational/commercial openings as usual.

Am I correct in believing that if crabs were caught, cleaned of guts and just the legs were eaten there would not be a problem even at these levels. But that may be impossible to communicate with everyone who may or may not be fluent in english. And certainly in a commercial situation it would be impossible to issue an adequate warning. This is hypothetical I don't plan on poaching.

anyone have an update?

Still testing, but no joy. The domoic acid levels are still way too high in the test areas.