CDPH Issues Warning about Dungeness and Rock Crabs

Date: 11/3/2015

Number: 15-082

Contact: Anita Gore, Orville Thomas - (916) 440-7259

SACRAMENTO

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today advised consumers not to eat Dungeness and Rock crabs caught in waters between the Oregon border and the southern Santa Barbara County line, due to the detection of dangerous levels of domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin.

Recent test results have shown persistently high levels of domoic acid in Dungeness crab and Rock crab, which have been caught along the California coastline. The levels have exceeded the State’s action level for the crabs’ body meat as well as the viscera, commonly referred to as crab butter, and therefore pose a significant risk to the public if they are consumed.

CDPH in conjunction with other state agencies will continue its sampling efforts to monitor domoic acid levels in Dungeness and Rock crabs until the levels subside and no longer exceed the State’s action level of 30 ppm in the viscera and 20 ppm in the meat. Domoic acid accumulation in seafood is a natural occurrence that is related to a “bloom” of a particular single-celled plant called Pseudo-nitzschia. The conditions that support the growth of this plant are impossible to predict, and it is unknown when the levels found in crab will subside. The health advisory will be lifted once the levels are no longer above acceptable levels.

Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory (a condition known as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning), coma or death. There have been no reported illnesses associated with this event.

Now you know why I don't care if I ever go crabbing.

Now you know why I don't care if I ever go crabbing.

as if the waters in Sac are any cleaner

I don't eat anything up here from these bodies of water.

I don't eat anything up here from these bodies of water.

Neither do I...

OK. Even if CDFW doesn't postpone crab season I'm not going to be dropping traps on the 7th.

I will

What I dont understand is why now? Shouldn't DFG be stopping people from eating other rock crabs, shrimps, fish, etc. that are toxic.  We knew about the toxins in the water a long time ago.

Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory (a condition known as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning), coma or death. There have been no reported illnesses associated with this event.

OMG I think I have domoic acid poisoning! 

Sounds like something that happens to certain people I know ... Around the same time each month 

Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory (a condition known as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning), coma or death. There have been no reported illnesses associated with this event.

OMG I think I have domoic acid poisoning! 

Probably just gas.....

Good thing I'm coming off of the back of a salmon season where the fleet landed 40 per cent of projected landings, not because of a lack of fish, but because of restrictions. Good thing I took all my money and dumped it into leasing a permit and gear. Looks like I'll be fishing Monkeyface eels off my kayak this season. Do you think you could make a living fishing sand dabs hook and line?(rhetorical question.....You can't, I've tried)

EMERGENCY MEETING AGENDA – TELECONFERENCE
November 5, 2015, 8:00 a.m.
Resources Building – Room 1320
Fish and Game Commission Conference Room
1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento
NOTICE: The public may participate in the teleconference at the address above.
The meeting will be live streamed at www.cal-span.org, for listening purposes only.
NOTE: See meeting procedures and information at the end of the agenda.
1. Call to order/roll call to establish quorum
2. Adoption of proposed emergency regulation to close the recreational Dungeness
crab and rock crab fisheries due to elevated levels of domoic acid
(Section 29.85, Title 14, CCR)
3. Adjournment

We will know more about the Dungeness crab season on November 5!