Portion of central Oregon coast added to crab harvesting closure, Nov. 16

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announce the immediate closure of recreational and commercial crabbing from Tahkenitch Creek, north of Winchester Bay and Reedsport, to Cape Foulweather, north of Newport. The closure is due to elevated levels of domoic acid. This includes crab harvested in bays and estuaries, and on beaches, docks, piers, and jetties. The announcement extends the previous closure from the north jetty of Coos Bay to the California border. Crab harvesting from the north jetty of Coos Bay to Tahkenitch Creek remains open as does harvesting north of Cape Foulweather to the Columbia River. The recreational crabbing season in the ocean closed coast-wide on October 15. Despite the closure, crab and shellfish products sold in retail markets and restaurants remain safe for consumers. For more information, call ODA’s shellfish safety information hotline at (800) 448-2474 or visit the ODA shellfish closures web page at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/FoodSafety/Shellfish/Pages/ShellfishClosures.aspx