The recreational fishery for Dungeness crab will open on Saturday, Nov. 2 except for one area in northern California due to a public health hazard.

State health agencies determined that Dungeness crab in portions of northern California have unhealthy levels of domoic acid and recommended delaying the opening of the recreational fishery in state waters from the California/Oregon state line (42° 0.00’ N latitude) south to the southern boundary of the Reading Rock State Marine Reserve (41° 17.6’ N latitude) in Humboldt County. 

Following this recommendation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham ordered a delay of the opening of the recreational Dungeness crab fishery in this area of northern California. Recreational take and/or possession of Dungeness crab is prohibited in these closed waters. Please see the Directors Declaration regarding allowances for transiting and possessing Dungeness crab in the area. Other areas of the coast will open as scheduled.

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by Pseudo-nitzschia, a naturally occurring single-celled, marine alga under certain ocean conditions. Domoic acid can accumulate in shellfish, other invertebrates and sometimes fish without the organism becoming ill themselves. 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.

This delay of season shall remain in effect until the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with the State Public Health Officer of California Department of Public Health (CDPH), determines that domoic acid no longer poses a significant risk to public health. Results of the sampling could change, or eliminate, the need for this delayed area. If a determination is made that the delay should be changed or lifted, announcements will be made as soon as possible. Pursuant to Fish and Game Code, section 5523, the Director of CDFW will notify the California Fish and Game Commission of the delay and request that the Commission schedule a public discussion at its next scheduled meeting.

The latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid will be updated on CDFW’s fishery closure information and health advisories website or by calling CDFW’s Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883.

The latest domoic acid test results for Dungeness crab are posted on the CDPH’s Domoic Acid website (subsection Analytical Data – Crabs).

For the latest consumption warnings, please check for any Dungeness crab health advisory information on the CDPH's shellfish advisories page or by calling the CDPH’s Biotoxin information Line at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133.