Commercial Rock Crab Fishing OK'd North to Bodega

BAY AREA, CA – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife on Friday extended the open area of the commercial rock crab fishery north to Bodega Bay.

The move extends the fishery from the Mexican border to Bodega Bay.

Recreational anglers are advised to avoid consuming the viscera of rock crab north of Bodega Bay.

The commercial rock crab fishery was closed north of Pigeon Point in San Mateo County on Nov. 8 because of the presence of domoic acid levels in crab viscera.

The commercial rock crab fishery north of Bodega Bay will remain closed until domoic acid levels no longer pose a threat to the public health, and the California Department of Public Health recommends the fishery be
open, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said.

The CDFW and the CDPH have been testing crabs for the presence of the acid since September. The most recent tests showed domoic acid in rock crabs from Bodega Bay and Point Reyes fell below the alert level of 30 ppm in their viscera.

Low levels of the potent neurotoxin can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness in humans and at higher levels can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and can be fatal in some cases.

COMING UP IN THE AREA:

• Career Fair & Job Fair: San Mateo
• Hand-Crafted Food Swap Silicon Valley: Redwood City
• Majestic Sam’s Castle Tour: Pacifica
• 5th Annual PJCC Mah Jongg Tournament: Foster City

--Bay City News/Image via Bea Karnes