LONG BEACH — Dungeness crab fishing is closed indefinitely along the southern Washington coast and inside the Columbia River and Willapa Bay due to high marine toxin levels.
The coastal closure applies as far north as Point Chehalis. Waters north of Point Chehalis, including Grays Harbor, remain open to recreational and commercial crab fishing.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the closure after routine testing showed domoic acid levels in crabs exceed standards set by the state Department of Health.
Domoic acid is a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae. It can be harmful, or even fatal is consumed in sufficient quantities. Cooking or freezing does not destroy domoic acid in shellfish.
Domoic acid levels have been increasing in coastal waters for several weeks, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. In May, the agency closed all coastal beaches to razor clam digging due to high levels of the toxin.
“We’ve been closely watching toxin levels in shellfish since closing beaches for razor clamming,” Ayres said. “Domoic acid shows up more quickly in razor clams than in crabs.”
All crab gear must be removed by 12:01 a.m. Wednesday or it is subject to confiscation by Fish and Wildlife police.
This is the first time since 2003 that a crab fishery has been closed in Washington due to domoic acid, Ayres said. The toxin was first detected on the Washington coast in 1991.
Regular testing of shellfish found in Willapa Bay — including oysters, hard-shell clams and mussels — show those shellfish remain safe to eat.
