Same toxin delaying crab fishing making sea lions sick

The Marine Mammal Center is sharing more details on the algae toxin affecting Dungeness crabs. The center says it’s the same toxin that has been making California’s sea lions sick.

This week, the California Department of Public Health warned people to avoid eating Dungeness crabs after the discovery of high domoic acid levels. Soon after, state officials delayed the start of recreational crab fishing, and on Friday, delayed commercial as well.

Domoic acid is produced by algae and builds up in shellfish, sardines and anchovies, which humans, sea lions and otters eat.

Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning include disorientation, seizures and even death as the biotoxin affects the brain. So far this year, the Marine Mammal Center has rescued a number of sea lions suffering from domoic acid poisoning. This is something News Channel 5 covered this summer.

The Marine Mammal Center was actually the first group to diagnose the poisoning after a large outbreak in 1998.

For more information on domoic acid from the Marine Mammal Center, click here.