OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has reopened the north coast of Washington to crab fishing.
Both commercial and recreational crab fishing had been closed from Point Chehalis to the Queets River because marine toxins posed a threat to public health.
That area, including Grays Harbor, was reopened over the weekend after health officials determined crabs on the northern coast were safe to eat.
The southern Washington coast – from Point Chehalis south to the Columbia River – remains closed to crab fishing because of too high level of domoic acid.
The natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae can be harmful or even fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Cooking or freezing does not destroy domoic acid in shellfish.
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