Dungeness crab season opened for sport anglers south of Point Reyes

Dungeness crab lovers in Northern California have their first opportunity of the year to haul in some crustaceans after state wildlife officials Thursday opened the season for sport anglers south of Point Reyes.

The move came after test results showed crab south of the Marin County landmark no longer presented a significant risk to human health, officials said.

The step is a sign of improving conditions in coastal waters up and down the state, where crabs collected out of eight California ports have been monitored since November, when high levels of an algae-related neurotoxin prompted delays of the commercial and sport Dungeness crab fisheries, as well as closure of the year-round rock crab fishery.

The state on New Year’s Eve opened the waters south of Piedras Blancas, near San Simeon, to sport harvesting in most areas, though Dungeness crab are not usually found that far south.

Recreational fishers can now hunt for Dungeness crab off Monterey, Half Moon Bay and San Francisco and areas north to 38 degrees latitude.

“It’s the first real opportunity” to get California Dungeness crab, state Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Jordan Traverso said.

Rock crab still are off-limits between Point Reyes and Piedras Blancas.

The entire California coast remains closed to commercial Dungeness and rock crab fishing.

Out of an abundance of caution, health officials recommended that only crab meat be consumed. Consumers are advised not to eat the viscera - internal organs known as “butter” - because they may contain higher levels of domoic acid than the meat.

Water or broth used to cook whole crabs also should be discarded and not used to prepare such dishes as sauces, broths, soups or stews.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at 521-5249 or mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MaryCallahanB.