GRAYS HARBOR — The Quinault Indian Nation has opened its crab fishery in the Grays Harbor area. The tribal fishing area is one of the few spared by a toxic algal bloom on the Pacific coast.
The tribe says its crabs are being tested regularly by the Washington Department of Health to be certain they are safe to eat.
Quinault fisheries spokesman Ed Johnstone says they decided to open the crab fishery after consulting with the state.
Washington and Oregon have delayed the start of their commercial crab seasons until Dec. 1 because of the algal bloom. But state officials say the crab caught by tribal fisheries in Grays Harbor and adjacent ocean are safe.
Officials plan to keep testing crabs and open the commercial season as soon as possible.
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