Sonoma Coast To Stay Closed At Start Of Crab Season Due To Elevated Toxin Levels

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- State officials are closing about 60 miles of the Northern California coast for the upcoming commercial Dungeness crab season because of elevated levels of a toxin.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the closure along the Sonoma coast on Tuesday. The agency said some crabs showed elevated levels of domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin that can sicken people.

The commercial crab season is set to start on Nov. 15. The recreational crab season started last week.

Last year, the Dungeness crab season was delayed for months by elevated levels of domoic acid, meaning local crab stayed off many Thanksgiving tables.