Oregon's Dungeness crab season usually opens December first. A toxin has been found in some crab in southern Oregon and it's uncertain if the season will be delayed.
Hugh Link is with Oregon's Dungeness Crab Commission. He says domoic acid has delayed California's season. It's caused by algae blooms in the ocean. The toxin was found in tests done in Oregon this weekend.
Link: "Brookings, Port Orford and Coos Bay were areas where we found elevated levels of domoic acid in the crab. We're continuing testing. As soon as we can get boats out. The weather's not cooperating with us right now."
Link says another test should be done by Friday. Recreational and commercial bay crab fishing is closed from Heceta Head south. Dungeness crab is normally the single most valuable species fishery in Oregon. Last year, it brought in about $66 million of income to the coastal economy. Link says if you find crab in the store it's tested and safe.
