CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsSpiny Lobster Recreational and Commercial Fisheries Set to Open with Delays in Portions of Los Angeles and Orange Counties Due to Public Health Hazardhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/spiny-lobster-recreational-and-commercial-fisheries-set-to-open-with-delays-in-portions-of-los-angeles-and-orange-counties-due-to-public-health-hazardMarineFri, 22 Sep 2023 14:20:21 GMTThe California spiny lobster fishery is set to open Friday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. for recreational diving and hoop netting, followed by the commercial fishery on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The recreational opener is 12 hours earlier than past seasons this year, providing an extra night of recreational fishing opportunity.<p>The California spiny lobster fishery is set to open Friday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. for recreational diving and hoop netting, followed by the commercial fishery on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The recreational opener is 12 hours earlier than past seasons this year, providing an extra night of recreational fishing opportunity.</p> <p>State health agencies determined that spiny lobster sampled off of mainland Los Angeles County had elevated levels of domoic acid and recommended a delayed opening of the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=216339&inline" target="_blank">recreational (PDF)</a> and <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=216338&inline" target="_blank">commercial (PDF)</a> fishery in the area. Following this recommendation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=215340&inline" target="_blank">enacted a delay (PDF)</a> to the start of the recreational and commercial spiny lobster fisheries within specific areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties. Areas immediately surrounding the recreational delay area will be open to recreational take under an advisory issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to avoid consuming the viscera (tomalley) and roe (eggs) of spiny lobster. Cooking lobsters neither decreases nor destroys the toxin, so consumers are advised to discard the viscera, roe and cooking liquids.</p> <p>The delay areas shall remain in effect until OEHHA, in consultation with the State Public Health Officer of CDPH, determines that domoic acid no longer poses a significant risk to public health. Both delays are contingent upon additional sampling, planned for next week. Samples from Sept. 18 were below the health hazard threshold. If next week’s samples are also below the threshold, the delays may be lifted. Results are not anticipated until late next week, so the earliest the delays could be removed would be Friday, Sept. 29, just before the recreational season opens. CDFW will post notices on their website and in the media as soon as any changes are made.</p> <p>The <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=215341&inline" target="_blank">recreational delay area (PDF)</a> is defined as state waters between the following landmarks: the northern boundary of the Point Vicente SMCA and the westernmost point of the Long Beach Breakwater. The area is bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted: 33° 44.800′ N. lat. 118° 24.807′ W. long.;<br /> 33° 44.800′ N. lat. 118° 28.931′ W. long.; thence southeastward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to 33° 40.384’ N. lat. 118° 10.850’ W. long.; and 33° 45.640’ N. lat. 118° 10.850’ W. long. Transiting the area with spiny lobster in possession is allowed as specified in the Director’s Declaration.</p> <p>The <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=215343&inline" target="_blank">commercial fishery is delayed (PDF)</a> in state waters off Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County to Huntington Beach, Orange County within the following coordinates: between 118° 0.00’ W longitude and 118° 30.00’ W longitude, and between 33° 40.00’ N. latitude and 33° 50.00’ N latitude. When the commercial season opens on Oct. 4, take of spiny lobster will be prohibited in this area. Please see the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=215340&inline" target="_blank">Director’s Declaration (PDF)</a> regarding allowances for commercial lobster trap deployment and for transiting and possessing lobster in the area.</p> <p>Pursuant to Fish and Game Code, section 5523, the Director of CDFW will notify the Fish and Game Commission of the delay and request that the Commission schedule a public discussion at its next scheduled meeting.</p> <p>Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by <em>Pseudo-nitzschia</em>, a naturally occurring single-celled, marine alga, under certain ocean conditions. Domoic acid can accumulate in shellfish, other invertebrates and sometimes fish without the organism becoming ill themselves. At low levels, domoic acid exposure can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness in humans. At higher levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and can in some cases be fatal. State and federal laws prohibit the commercial distribution of seafood products that contain domoic acid levels above the federal action level, which is 20 parts per million in the viscera of spiny lobster.</p> <p>Information will be updated on CDFW’s <a href="/Fishing/Ocean/Health-Advisories">fishery closure information and health advisories</a> website.</p> <p>Latest domoic acid test results for spiny lobster are posted on the <a href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/DomoicAcid.aspx" target="_blank">CDPH’s Domoic Acid</a> website (scroll down to Analytical Data – Lobster located on the right side of page).</p> <p>More information about the Domoic Acid Delays in the Spiny Lobster Fishery can be found at the following links: <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=215342&inline" target="_blank">Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)</a> and <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=215341&inline" target="_blank">Recreational (PDF)</a> and <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=215343&inline" target="_blank">Commercial (PDF)</a> Delay Area Maps.</p> <p>To get the latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid, call CDFW’s <strong>Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line</strong> at (831) 649-2883.</p> <p>For the latest consumption warnings, call the <strong>CDPH’s Biotoxin Information Line</strong> at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352<br /> <a href="mailto:Tom.Mason@wildlife.ca.gov">Tom Mason</a>, CDFW Invertebrate Program, (562) 417-2791</em></p> Razor Clam Fishery Closes in Del Norte County Due to Public Health Hazardhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/razor-clam-fishery-closes-in-del-norte-county-due-to-public-health-hazardPublic SafetyThu, 03 Nov 2022 13:06:08 GMTThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has closed the recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County following a recommendation from state health agencies determining that consumption of razor clams in the area poses a significant threat for domoic acid exposure.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=206069&inline" target="_blank">closed the recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County (PDF)</a> following a <a href="https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/fish/document/razorclamrecreationalfisherymemo110222.pdf" target="_blank">recommendation from state health agencies (PDF)</a> determining that consumption of razor clams in the area poses a significant threat for domoic acid exposure.</p> <p>Pseudo-nitzschia, a naturally occurring single-celled, marine alga, produces the potent neurotoxin domoic acid under certain ocean conditions. Bivalve shellfish, like clams and mussels, accumulate the toxin without being harmed. In fact, razor clams are known to bioaccumulate domoic acid, meaning it may not clear their system until long after a bloom has abated.</p> <p>Sampling of razor clams from Crescent Beach in Crescent City in late October found clams exceeding the current federal action level for domoic acid of greater than or equal to 20 parts per million.</p> <p>Domoic acid poisoning in humans may occur within minutes to hours after consumption of affected seafood and can result in signs and symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to permanent loss of short-term memory (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning), coma or death. There is no way to prepare clams for consumption that will remove the toxin – cooking and freezing have no effect.</p> <p>CDFW will continue to work with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to collect, monitor and analyze razor clams to determine when the recreational clam fishery in Del Norte County can be reopened safely.</p> <p>For more information on any fishery closure or health advisories, please visit: <a href="http://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Health-Advisories">www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Health-Advisories</a></p> <p>To get the latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid, please call CDFW’s <strong>Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line</strong> at (831) 649-2883.</p> <p>For the latest consumption warnings, please call <strong>CDPH’s Biotoxin information Line</strong> at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:Christy.Juhasz@wildlife.ca.gov">Christy Juhasz</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (707) 292-2480<br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> Razor Clam Fishery in Del Norte County Opens After Closure Since Decemberhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/razor-clam-fishery-in-del-norte-county-opens-after-closure-since-decemberWildlife HealthFri, 24 Jun 2022 16:50:41 GMTThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director has re-opened the recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County following a recommendation from state health agencies that the consumption of razor clams in the area no longer poses a significant threat for domoic acid exposure.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director has <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=202511&inline" target="_blank">re-opened the recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County (PDF)</a> following a recommendation from state health agencies that the consumption of razor clams in the area no longer poses a significant threat for domoic acid exposure.</p> <p>The razor clam fishery in Del Norte County was re-opened in April 2021 after a five-year closure due to high domoic acid concentrations that persisted in the razor clam population, but was then closed again in December due to public health hazard. Pseudo-nitzschia, a naturally occurring single-celled marine alga, produces the potent neurotoxin domoic acid under certain ocean conditions.</p> <p>During the closure, state health agencies have continued to assess domoic acid levels in razor clams. Two separate clam collections from Crescent Beach, Crescent City this month taken more than a week apart all had domoic acid concentrations below the federal action level of greater than or equal to 20 parts per million.</p> <p>Domoic acid poisoning in humans may occur within minutes to hours after consumption of affected seafood and can result in signs and symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to permanent loss of short-term memory (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning), coma or death. There is no way to prepare clams that will remove the toxin. Cooking and freezing have no effect.</p> <p>Health agencies continue to monitor domoic acid in razor clams in Del Norte and Humboldt counties, which are both now open to razor clam harvest.</p> <p>CDFW reminds clammers that the daily bag limit for razor clams is 20 and the first 20 clams dug must be retained regardless of size or condition. The razor clam fishery is open south of Battery Point, Crescent City (Del Norte County) during even-numbered years. Each person is required to keep a separate container for their clams and is not allowed to commingle their take with another person when digging and transporting clams to shore.</p> <p>For more information, please refer to <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Sport-Fishing/Invertebrate-Fishing-Regs#mollusks">section 29.20 Clams General and section 29.45 for specific razor clam regulations</a>.</p> <p>For more information on any fishery closure or health advisories, please visit <a href="http://www.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/health-advisories">www.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/health-advisories</a>.</p> <p>To get the latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid, please call CDFW’s Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883.</p> <p>For the latest consumption warnings, please call the California Department of Public Health’s Biotoxin Information Line at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Christy.Juhasz@wildlife.ca.gov">Christy Juhasz</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (707) 292-2480<br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> <p>CDFW photo, razor clam</p>