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Crabbin' Time Resumes For Central Oregon Coast

Brian Bull
/
KLCC

Restrictions on Dungeness crab harvesting along the Central Oregon Coast have been lifted by state officials.  

Kelly Corbett is with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.  She says initial testing of crab samples showed high levels of domoic acid, which closed both commercial and recreational crabbing earlier this month.

“And why that’s important is because domoic acid can cause illnesses in humans," Corbett tells KLCC.  "So the restrictions were put in place until those levels dropped, and they have. 

"Domoic acid’s a naturally-occurring toxin that’s produced by marine phytoplankton.   And there’s research being done that’s looking into what’s increasing that marine phytoplankton to grow and bloom during certain seasons.”

Officials say despite the closure, crab sold in fish markets, grocery stores, and restaurants are safe.  For home kitchens, they say it’s important to remove all internal organs before cooking.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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