California health officials warn of high toxin levels in Dungeness, Rock crabs

Algae or phytoplankton ingested by shrimp and other marine organism that constitute the food source of the California Dungeness crabs may produce a toxic acid. "I am not anxious about the season being cancelled altogether, because I expect the algae bloom, associated with warm ocean temperatures, will eventually dissipate when the winter brings colder currents down from the north", Marshall added.

Toxic domoic acid is produced by algae in the ocean, and this year the algae are thriving in the largest bloom ever recorded here.

Recreational Dungeness crab season would begin, if it's not delayed, on November 7, while the commercial season will begin later this month on different parts of the coast. In addition to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, more severe cases may result in patients suffering seizures or memory loss.

Mammals can survive domoic acid exposure, but can be left with chronic health problems if they do. Ingesting domoic acid may even be fatal.

Oregon, along with Washington and California, placed restrictions on commercial and recreational harvesting of certain shellfish and crabs.

"If we lose all our holiday seasons, then that sucks, but that's the way it is", Marshall said Tuesday.

Crab fisherman like Barrus, who came all the way from Alaska to fish the waters off California, says a good haul could net him $30,000, but if the State Health Department pulls the plug on this Dungeness season, he may instead go crabbing off the Washington coast. "We've never had a closure with Dungeness crab of this magnitude".

These are: Morro and Monterey Bay, Bodega Bay, Half Moon Bay, Crescent City, Eureka, Trinidad, and Fort Bragg.

Sea lions in California commonly experienced seizures and deaths during harmful algae blooms along that coast. Due to an intense spread this year, the Pacific seafood industry has taken a significant economic blow. Mitchell said he would rather take a financial hit this season, instead of selling potentially harmful crabs.