NEWPORT — The traditional Dec. 1 opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season along the entire Oregon coast and southwest Washington will be delayed because of concerns about domoic acid levels in some areas. During recent testing, domoic acid in crab viscera from the Garibaldi area was above the alert level that normally triggers action. In addition, the overall trend indicates domoic acid in other areas may be increasing as well.
Based on these results, the Oregon commercial Dungeness crab industry, and Washington and California departments of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlifeare being cautious and delaying the ocean commercial Dungeness crab season along the entire Oregon coast and up to Klipsan Beach on Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula.
“Oregon’s commercial crab industry and the department place a high priority on making sure that seafood consumers can be confident that they are buying a safe, high-quality and sustainable product when they purchase Oregon Dungeness crab,” said Caren Braby, Oregon Fish and Wildlife marine resource program manager.
