Emergency Regulations to Keep Dungeness Crab Commercial Fishery Closed North of Point Reyes and Close Rock Crab Commercial Fishery North of Pigeon Point (Section 131, Title 14, CCR)

November 8, 2016

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife finds that an emergency closure of all take or possession of Dungeness crab under a commercial fishing license from any ocean waters of the state north of Point Reyes, Marin County (38°00’ N. lat.) and all rock crab under a commercial fishing license from any ocean waters of the state north of Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37°11’ N. lat.) is necessary due to persistently high domoic acid levels in the viscera (guts) of Dungeness crab or rock crab. Commercial take and marketing of these crab poses a significant risk to public health as determined by the Director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with the Director of the California Department of Public Health. This emergency closure is necessary for immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare.

The current rulemaking file consists of the following documents: