As the WIld Coast Compass reported on December 31st, all areas in the Tri-State regions north of Cape Arago, Oregon, have met the respective minimum meat recovery criteria coming in just above minimum meat recovery rates to be met in each test area are 23% north of Cascade Head and 25% south of Cascade Head thus opening the commercial crabbing season north of Coos Bay as of December 28th, 2018.
At the same time, after completion of testing under the Tri-State Protocol, the area from Cape Arago south to Gold Beach was below meat quality criteria and the area from Cape Blanco to the Oregon/California border also remained closed due to persistent domoic acid detected in the viscera of crab.
On Wednesday, January 9th, the ODFW stated that scheduled sample collections for domoic acid to determine the opening of the commercial crab season from Cape Blanco to Gold Beach and Gold Beach to the CA/OR border areas were delayed due to weather.
The sample area from Gold Beach to the CA/OR border arrived at the dock Monday morning, but the area from Cape Blanco to Gold Beach has yet to be sampled. ODFW anticipates having domoic acid results in both areas from Cape Blanco to Gold Beach and Gold Beach to the CA/OR border by the middle to end of next week, in addition to meat quality results from industry requested market samples for areas from Bandon to Cape Blanco and from Cape Blanco to Gold Beach.
ODFW plans to work towards a single opening, with a 30-day fair start provision, for the four southern Oregon crab harvest areas until further notice. We have heard significant support on waiting to open these areas until the domoic acid issue in the area of Gold Beach to the CA/OR border is resolved, if possible, and are not planning for a January 15th opening in the area south of Cape Arago. However, if California indicates that the Crescent City area may open on January 15th we plan to re-convene with industry advisors for additional input.
If sampling indicates that domoic acid persists above threshold levels in the area of Gold Beach to the CA/OR border, ODFW will consult with industry regarding continuing to delay the season versus opening in early February under mandatory evisceration for the Biotoxin Management Area from Cape Blanco to Gold Beach and Gold Beach to the CA/OR border.
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