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Most Areas Of Channel Islands Reopened To Rock Crab Fishing

Most of the rock crab fishery areas in the Channel Islands which have been closed due to a naturally occurring toxin in the crabs have been reopened.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say after consulting with other state environmental, and health agencies, the decision was made to reopen most of the recreational and commercial rock crab fisheries in the islands. However, continued high levels of domoic acid mean that the state waters between Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa Islands remain closed.

Health officials are recommending as a precaution that the internal organs of the crabs, commonly known as “butter,” be discarded. They also say that water used to cook whole craws be discarded, and not be used for broths or soups.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral.