California

Toxic Algae Bloom in the Pacific Threatens Dungeness Crab Season: Report

One of the Bay Area's fabled holiday traditions is now in jeopardy from something lurking in the water. There may be no Dungeness crab on the thanksgiving dinner table this year.

The Chronicle reports this year's crab season may be delayed and possibly may not happen at all due to a mysterious toxic algae bloom in the Pacific Ocean.

The state's public health department is now testing crabs for the presence of the neurotoxin domoic acid which can be a big health hazard. Domoic acid can cause memory loss, seizures and even death in humans.

Crab season is supposed to begin Nov. 7. For now it's on hold. "Everything kind of is up in the air right now," California Fish and Wildlife Department spokeswoman Jordan Traverso told the Press Democrat.

Contact Us