Recreational crabbing has been discontinued along the southern Oregon coast

Due to elevated levels of the toxin domic acid, crab harvesting is prohibited from Tokenich Creek at 44° 47′ N to the California border

PUBLISHED ON November 20, 2022

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are announcing the closure of all recreational crabbing on the southern Oregon coast from Tokenich Creek (north of Winchester Bay) at N 44° 47′ to the California border due to increased levels of domic acid toxin. This includes Dungeness crab and red stone crab caught in the ocean, in bays and estuaries, and on beaches, docks, piers and marinas.

Recreational crabbing is open from the Washington border south to Tackenich Creek (north of Winchester Bay). This includes the ocean, bays and estuaries, as well as beaches, docks, piers and jetties.

It is always recommended that the crab be gutted and gutted before cooking, which involves removing and discarding the guts, internal organs and gills. Toxins cannot be removed by cooking, freezing or any other processing. ODA will continue testing for biotoxins in the coming weeks.

Thanks to Oregon’s biotoxin precautions, crab and shellfish products now sold in retail markets and restaurants are safe for consumers.

For more information, call ODA’s Shellfish Safety Hotline at (800) 448-2474 or visit ODA’s shellfish closure webpage at: http://ODA.direct/ShellfishClosures.

— OPR