EDITOR’S NOTE: Not to be confused with the commercial crabbing season which remains on hold for further testing in the next few weeks. This applied to recreational crabbers.
(December 9, 2022- NEWPORT, OR) – The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and ODFW reopens all recreational crabbing (ocean, bays, and estuaries) from Cape Blanco to the California border. Two consecutive tests show domoic acid levels are under the closure threshold.
However, all recreational crabbing from Cape Blanco to eight miles north of Winchester Bay (43 degrees 47′ at Tahkenitch Creek) remains closed with elevated domoic acid levels.
All recreational crabbing remains open from eight miles north of Winchester Bay to the Washington border. See below for a map of the open and closed areas.
Recreational bay clam and mussel harvesting also remain open along the entire Oregon coast. However, razor clamming is still closed coastwide.
ODA tests for shellfish toxins twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit.
Domoic acid is produced by algae and originates in the ocean.
It is recommended that recreational crab harvesters always eviscerate crab before cooking. This includes removing and discarding the viscera, internal organs, and gills.
For more information, call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800)448-2474, the Food Safety Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA shellfish biotoxin closures webpage.
Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules and limits.