In this file photo a fisherman guides a bucket full of Dungeness Crab from his boat on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Dungeness Crab Health Warning Lifted for California Coast

By The Associated Press

February 12, 2016 Updated: February 12, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO—Health officials say Dungeness crabs caught along a swath of California’s coast no longer show high levels of a marine toxin and are safe to eat.

Public Health Officer Karen Smith on Thursday lifted a health advisory for the popular crustaceans that had been in effect from Pt. Reyes to Monterey County since mid-November. A similar warning was cancelled off the coasts of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties on New Years’ Eve.

A worker moves a bin of Dungeness Crab after it was offloaded from a fishing vessel on November 17, 2010 in San Francisco, California. After a brief delay due to the sizes and maturity of the crabs, Dungeness Crab season opened today instead of its official start day of November 15. Fisherman are hoping for a big year since the past few years haven't yielded big catches. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) — A worker moves a bin of Dungeness Crab after it was offloaded from a fishing vessel on November 17, 2010 in San Francisco, California. After a brief delay due to the sizes and maturity of the crabs, Dungeness Crab season opened today instead of its official start day of November 15. Fisherman are hoping for a big year since the past few years haven’t yielded big catches. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Dungeness crabbing seasons were delayed in California, Oregon and Washington last year after testing showed unhealthy levels of domoic acid, a toxin that can cause gastrointestinal illness.

The advisory remains in effect north of Pt. Reyes.

Rock crabs caught around the Channel Islands and near Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Luis Obisbo County remain subject to a health warning as well.