Crabbing halted from northern Oregon to California border

SEASIDE, Ore. – State agriculture officials in Oregon have shut down commercial and recreational crabbing in coastal waters from Tillamook Head along the northern coast to the California border because of high levels of domoic acid found in the crabs’ flesh.

The Oregon Department of Agrilculture said the ban includes the harvest of Dungeness and red rock crab in bays and estuaries, off docks, piers, jetties and in the ocean.

Crab harvesting from Tillamook Head north to the Columbia River remains open for now.

Consumption of domoic acid can result in dizziness, headaches, vomiting and diarrhea. More severe cases can result in memory loss and death.

Closure of the crab season last year along the Pacific Coast due to domoic acid contamination caused crabbers to lose millions.