SALEM, Ore. — Authorities in Oregon have shut down recreational crab harvesting on the southern Oregon coast after finding high toxin levels. It also closed commercial crabbing in bays in that area.
The closure is from Heceta Head to the California border. It includes crab harvested in the bays and estuaries, and off docks, piers and jetties.
Agriculture’s Judy Dowell said Sunday that no decision has been made yet on whether to open Oregon’s coastal crab season by Dec. 1 as planned.
Dangerous levels of a natural toxin called domoic acid prompted California to delay its coastal Dungeness crab season. Washington is waiting on more test results to decide whether to open its coastal crab season Dec. 1.
Oregon’s Agriculture Department says recreational crab harvesting and commercial bay crabbing is still open along the northern Oregon Coast though officials recommend people remove and discard the crab guts before eating.
Domoic acid or amnesic shellfish toxin can cause minor to severe illness and even death.
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