Recreation
Some crab fisheries in the southern part of California are being allowed to open.
On Thursday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) were notified by the director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) that, in consultation with the director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), a determination has been made that Dungeness and rock crab caught on the mainland coast south of 35° 40' N Latitude (near Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Luis Obispo County) no longer poses a significant human health risk from high levels of domoic acid and that the fisheries should be opened in a manner consistent with the emergency regulations.
This determination was based on extensive sampling conducted by CDPH in close coordination with CDFW and fisheries representatives.
Pursuant to the emergency regulations adopted by the Commission and CDFW on Nov. 5 and 6, respectively, the current open and closed areas are as follows:
Areas open to crab fishing include:
– Recreational Dungeness and rock crab fisheries along the mainland coast South of 35° 40' N Latitude (Piedras Blancas Light Station);
– Commercial rock crab fishery along the mainland coast South of 35° 40' N Latitude (Piedras Blancas Light Station).
Areas still closed to crab fishing include:
– Commercial Dungeness crab fishery statewide;
– Recreational Dungeness crab fishery north of 35° 40' N Latitude (Piedras Blancas Light Station);
– Commercial and recreational rock crab fisheries North of 35° 40' N Latitude (Piedras Blancas Light Station);
– Commercial and recreational rock crab fisheries in state waters around San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands.
Despite several weeks of samples below alert levels, as a precaution, CDPH and OEHHA recommend that anglers and consumers not eat the viscera (internal organs, also known as "butter" or "guts") of crabs.
CDPH and OEHHA are also recommending that water or broth used to cook whole crabs be discarded and not used to prepare dishes such as sauces, broths, soups or stews.
The viscera usually contain much higher levels of domoic acid than crab body meat. When whole crabs are cooked in liquid, domoic acid may leach from the viscera into the cooking liquid.
This precaution is being recommended to avoid harm in the unlikely event that some crabs taken from an open fishery have elevated levels of domoic acid.
CDFW will continue to closely coordinate with CDPH, OEHHA and fisheries representatives to extensively monitor domoic acid levels in Dungeness and rock crabs to determine when the fisheries can safely be opened throughout the state.
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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will offer a choice of two different free, guided nature walks beginning at noon on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative.
The First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, at a state park close to home.
First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.
There will be two different routes to choose from. Both hikes will begin at noon.
The hike on the McVicar Trail will pass through oak woodlands, along the edge of the aquatic habitat of Anderson Marsh and end up at the gravel beach on Clear Lake across from Indian Island.
This will be a leisurely walk that will begin a noon and cover about 7 and three-quarter miles of mainly flat terrain. The walk should take between three and four hours, depending on how many times the group stops to admire what they see along the way.
The shorter hike will include parts of the Cache Creek, Marsh and Ridge trails. This 3-and-a-half-mile loop will include the Cache Creek riparian habitat, the Anderson Flats grasslands and the oak woodlands on Lewis Ridge. The hike will pass by an Acorn Woodpecker granary tree and a vernal pool. This shorter hike will take between two and two and a half hours.
Participants on both walks are welcome to walk part way and make an early return at their own pace. The exact routes that will be followed may have to be adjusted, depending on the weather and how wet the ground is on Jan. 1.
According to park docent Henry Bornstein, who will lead the walk along with docents Gae Henry and Tom McFarling, “This is a fabulous opportunity to experience the Anderson Marsh Natural Preserve, with the walks passing through grasslands, Oak woodlands, willow and cottonwood riparian habitats and the tule marsh habitat of Anderson Marsh. Let’s get outside on New Year’s Day and share what we know about the geology and history of the area, and the flora, birds and other wildlife that we encounter on the walk.”
Participants should bring water and snacks and binoculars if they have them, and wear sturdy shoes and a hat. Rain will cancel the walk.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Highway 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake.
For more information about the walk, email
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- Written by: Editor
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