The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is cooperating with other state agencies in the collection and testing of Dungeness crab for domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin produced by microscopic marine algae, to determine if eating sport-caught crab will be safe for the public when the season opens.

Test results are due midweek and encompass Dungeness crabs living in eight California ports: Crescent City, Trinidad, Eureka, Fort Bragg, Bodega Bay, San Francisco/Half Moon Bay, Monterey and Morro Bay.

"Everything kind of is up in the air right now," California Fish and Wildlife Department spokeswoman Jordan Traverso told the Press Democrat.

This summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the algae bloom off California was one of the biggest ever observed. Domoic acid levels in Monterey Bay were the highest ever, and scientists were mystified as to why exactly the algae was proliferating, although unusually warm ocean waters are thought to be a piece of the puzzle.

"This is unprecedented in terms of the extent and magnitude of this harmful algal bloom and the warm water conditions we're seeing offshore," Northwest Fisheries Science Center leader Vera Trainer said. "Whether they're related we can't really say yet."

Crab season has already taken a hit in Washington state, where the algae bloom shut down crabbing over the summer. The Dungeness crab industry reels in $200 million a year on the West Coast, and after a slow salmon season, many fishermen are desperate for big crab hauls.

Serious consideration is being given to delaying the recreational fishery opener on Nov. 7, 2015, but no decision has yet been made. CDFW will issue a press release immediately with more information, once a decision has been made.

Please access one of the following sources for up-to-date information concerning recreational Dungeness crab season dates and related information:

• Call the California Department of Public Health Shellfish Biotoxin Information line at: (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553- 4133 for any crab consumption advisories, or check CDFW’s Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
• Sign up for the CDFW Marine Region News Service to receive the latest information about the recreational Dungeness crab season.
• Check the Marine Region News Room for a press release with information about the Dungeness crab recreational fishery opening date.
• Call or drop by your local Marine Region CDFW office for the latest information before heading out on a crabbing trip.