Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Partial Rock Crab Reopening between Gualala and Mendocino/Humboldt County line
Marine biotoxin (domoic acid) in fish and shellfish
Domoic Acid in Seafood
OEHHA, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, recommends closures, delay of openings, and re-openings of fisheries, based on high levels of toxic substances, including marine biotoxins such as domoic acid, under Fish and Game Code Section 5523.
In 2015-2016, an unprecedented harmful algal bloom (HAB) event occurred in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of the United States. A large bloom of the marine diatom Pseudo-nitzchia produced high levels of domoic acid that accumulated in some fish and shellfish species along the California coast. Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin that can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea at lower doses and seizures, coma, irreversible memory loss (“Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning”), and death at higher doses. No human cases of domoic acid poisoning have been reported in California; however, mild cases may not be readily recognized. Domoic acid is considered responsible for hundreds of sea lion illnesses or deaths in the state.
Since the fall of 2015, OEHHA has made numerous recommendations to close or delay the opening of Dungeness crab, rock crab, and razor clam fisheries, in various coastal locations, when levels of domoic acid exceeded the federal action level for this toxin. Recommendations for re-opening fisheries are made when domoic acid levels in successive samples fall below the action level. Closures, delay of openings, and re-openings are implemented by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Links:
- Ocean Science Trust – Harmful Algal Blooms and California Fisheries
- California Department of Public Health – Domoic Acid webpage
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife – Health Advisories for California Finfish, Shellfish, and Crustaceans
Downloads
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Partial Rock Crab Reopening between Gualala and Mendocino/Humboldt County line
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Partial Reopening of Rock Crab Fishery between Salt Point and the Sonoma/Mendocino County Line
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Reopening of Commercial Lobster Fishery in the Last Remaining Areas
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Partial Reopening of Commercial Rock Crab Fishery Between Bodega Head and Salt Point in Sonoma County
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Partial Reopening of Commercial Lobster Fishery Near Santa Cruz Island
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Partial Reopening of Lobster Fishery
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Domoic Acid in Lobsters near Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Recomendation on Opening the Last Commercial Area Closed to Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishing
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Recommendation on opening of Dungeness crab fishery in state waters between 38° 57.5’ N and 39° 33.3’
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Recommendation on opening of Dungeness crab fishery in state waters
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Recommendation on opening of Dungeness crab fishery in state waters
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Recommendation on opening of commercial Dungeness crab fishery from 40º 46.15ʹ N latitude north
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW - Recommendation on closure/delay of opening of commercial Dungeness crab fishery
Memo from OEHHA, CDFW & CDPH to Dungeness Crab Ind. - Domoic Acid Background and Potential Option for Future Events
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW/CDFG - Recommendation on Opening of Rock Crab Fishery in Portions of San Mateo County
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW/CDFG - Recommendation on opening of rock crab fishery near Channel Islands
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW/CDFG - Recommendation on opening of the last remaining area closed to dungeness crab fishing
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW/CDFG - Recommendation on opening of dungeness crab fishery between CA/OR Border and 41 ° 17.60' N
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW/CDFG - Recommendation on opening of rock crab fishery south of 36° 58.72' N Latitude with one exception
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW/CDFG - Recommendation on opening of dungeness crab fishery, Mendocino and portions of Humboldt Co.
Memo from OEHHA to CDFG - Domoic Acid Threat to Public Health from Razor Clams in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW/CDFG Recommendation on opening of rock crab fishery near Channel Islands, with the exception of one area
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW/CDFG - Recommendation on opening of dungeness crab fishery south of Sonoma/Mendocino Co.
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW/CDFG - Recommendation regarding opening of Dungeness Crab fishery in State waters
Memo from OEHHA to CDFG - Dungeness and Rock Crab from the mainland coast of SLO and counties to the south
Memo from OEHHA to CDFW/CDFG - Domoic Acid Threat to Public Health