Consumption Warning on Crustaceans

The California Department of Fish and Game just released a warning to people who consume California rock crab and spiny lobster. People who eat spiny lobster should restrict what they eat to tail meat only. Elevated levels of domoic acid have been found in the internal organs of lobster sampled from waters by the northern Channel Islands. Elevated levels have also been found in rock crab. The meat of the lobster and crab isn’t affected by domoic acid, but all internal organs, including the roe, should not be eaten.

Domoic acid poisoning can cause symptoms within a half hour to a full day after eating toxic seafood. Symptoms include nausea or diarrhea, cramps, headache and dizziness. Severe symptoms can be life-threatening.

According to the Department of Fish and Game, there have been no known cases to date of domoic acid poisoning.

How does it get into your seafood? The acid is actually a naturally occurring toxin that can be found in tiny marine algae. Small fish, clams and mussels eat the algae and concentrate the toxin in their organs.

When the toxin is no longer detected in samples, Fish and Game will put out another news release.

For more information on how to stay healthy at the beach, visit our Staying Healthy page.