[cf. Toxic algae bloom may be largest ever off U.S. West Coast – ‘We’ve never had to close essentially half our coast’, and Scientists fear toxic algae bloom spreading on Pacific coast – Stretching from southern California to Alaska, this year’s blooms thought to be the largest ever recorded] By Lisa Fernandez

5 November 2015 (NBC News) – In an unprecedented move, the California Fish and Game Commission voted Thursday to delay the opening of crab season because of potentially deadly levels of domoic acid found in Dungeness and rock crabs along the West Coast. The 3-0 decision was made at an emergency hearing Thursday in Sacramento. It prohibits recreational and sport fishers from taking crabs from ocean waters, including bays and estuaries, north of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The recreational crabbing season would have kicked off on Saturday. “There has never been a fishery closure due to domoic acid before,” Department of Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Jordan Traverso told NBC Bay Area. The algal bloom and domoic acid occurs often, she said, but usually cooler water temperatures have taken over by November, forcing the toxins to dissipate. El Nino-related warm water temperatures is the most likely reason why this bloom is so persistent and large this late in the season, she said. […] In severe poisoning cases, the neurotoxin can cause seizures, coma or death in humans. The toxin has affected shellfish and sickened or killed seabirds, seals, dolphins, and whales throughout the region. [more]