KTLA
Seafood lovers beware! Consumers are being warned not to eat Dungeness or rock crab caught in waters between the Oregon border and the southern Santa Barbara County line, due to dangerous levels of domoic acid.
Authorities are warning Californians to be careful when eating Dungeness and stone crabs fished out of waters between Oregon and the Santa Barbara line. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
According to the California Department of Public Health, high levels of the naturally occurring toxin were found recently in crab caught along the California coastline and pose a significant risk to the public if consumed.
The toxin was found in the crabs’ body meat as well as the viscera, commonly referred to as crab butter.
The recreational fishing season for Dungeness crab, a popular seafood on the West Coast, had been slated to open Saturday. It was not immediately clear if the California Department of Fish and Wildlife would delay the opening of the season due to the domoic acid levels.
Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning generally occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after ingestion.
In mild cases, symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness, which will likely disappear within several days.In severe cases, victims may experience trouble breathing, disorientation, seizures, permanent loss of short-term memory, coma and even death.
So far, the state said there had been no reported illnesses.
For updated information on shellfish poisoning and quarantines, the CDPH has set up a toll-free Shellfish Information Line at 800-553-4133.
To read more, click here:
http://ktla.com/2015/11/03/dangerous-levels-of-toxin-found-in-dungeness-rock-crab-caught-along-central-and-norcal-coast/
