SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announce recreational crabbing is closed from Bandon to the California border for elevated levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid. This includes the ocean, bays and estuaries, and on beaches, docks, piers and jetties. Recreational crabbing is now open from the Washington border to Bandon.
It is always recommended that crab be eviscerated and the guts removed prior to cooking, which includes the removal and discard of the viscera, internal organs and gills. Toxins cannot be removed by cooking, freezing or any other treatment. ODA will continue to test for biotoxins in the coming weeks.
Because of Oregon’s precautionary management of biotoxins, the crab and shellfish products currently being sold in retail markets and restaurants are safe for consumers.
For more information call Oregon Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800) 448-2474, the Food Safety Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA recreational shellfish biotoxin closures webpage.
— ODA