DUE TO HIGH LEVELS OF DOMOIC ACID BEING FOUND IN CERTAIN MARINE CREATURES, PEOPLE ARE BEING WARNED NOT TO EAT COMMERCIALLY (OR RECREATIONALLY) CAUGHT ANCHOVIES AND SARDINES THAT ARE CAUGHT IN THE OCEAN OFF OF SANTA CRUZ AND MONTEREY COUNTIES. IN ANCHOVIES AND SARDINES THE TOXIN IS GENERALLY FOUND IN THEIR DIGESTIVE TRACK, AND THAT’S A CONCERN BECAUSE THOSE FISH ARE LITTLE ENOUGH THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T GUT THEM BEFORE EATING THEM. PEOPLE ARE ALSO BEING WARNED NOT TO EAT THE INTERNAL ORGANS OF LOCALLY HARVESTED CRABS FOR THE SAME REASON. THIS ADVISORY IS IN ADDITION TO THE ONE POSTED LAST WEEK WARNING PEOPLE NOT TO EAT RECREATIONALLY CAUGHT BI-VALVES (SUCH AS MUSSELS, CLAMS, SCALLOPS, AND OYSTERS). COMMERCIALLY CAUGHT BI-VALVES ARE STILL SAFE TO EAT. THE SYMPTOMS OF DOMOIC ACID POISONING CAN KICK IN WITHIN HALF AN HOUR, OR COULD TAKE 24 HOURS TO BE RECOGNIZED…AND THEY INCLUDE ANYTHING FROM VOMITING AND DIARRHEA TO PERMANENT LOSS OF SHORT TERM MEMORY AND BREATHING TROUBLES….TO DEATH.
