2 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2015
Delay in Dungeness crab season not uncommon
COOS BAY — A naturally
occurring toxin has resulted in
commercial crab season delays
in California, Oregon and part
of Washington. But that doesn’t
mean crab isn’t getting to mar-
ket.
Some tribal fishermen in
Washington are fishing in areas
tested and proven safe and
delivering crab to shore. The
good news is that all crab for
sale in markets and restaurants
is just as safe and delicious as
the Dungeness crab enjoyed in
the past.
Meanwhile, fishermen and
processors continue working
with state wildlife and health
agencies to perform ongoing
testing for domoic acid, the
same rigorous testing they do
every year. It’s all to ensure
crab for sale is safe for public
consumption.
Domoic acid is a naturally
occurring toxin that dissipates
over time.
Crab must be free of elevated
levels of domoic acid for two
tests in a row to be considered
for harvesting.
Each test must be at least
seven days apart, according to
Food and Drug Administration
guidelines, and takes a few
days or more to be completed.
Oregon crabbers are volunteer-
ing their time to collect samples
for testing.
It’s important to note these
are delays, not closures. Along
most of the coast, the commer-
cial season typically wouldn’t
start until Dec. 1.
Seasonal delays can be for
any number of reasons, includ-
ing meat fill content or food
safety issues.
“Rigorous testing, combined
with continued cooperation
between the seafood industry
and state agencies, should pro-
vide consumers with even more
confidence that any Dungeness
crab on the market this season
will be safe to eat and of the
highest quality,” says Rod
Moore, senior policy adviser
for the West Coast Seafood
Processors Association.
Here’s the silver lining:
Oregon and Washington crab
are in great shape. Meat fill
content has met or exceeded the
testing parameters.
This winter, Dungeness are
chock full of that sweet tasting
meat that’s become a West
Coast staple.
Cape Perpetua to begin popular Discovery Series Dec. 5
tence until the night Thompson
found himself in the middle of
a hunt, standing between a
mountain lion and its prey.
Hear the harrowing story
neither Thompson nor his audi-
ence will forget, while learning
facts about the life and behav-
ior of this secretive and often-
maligned creature.
Thompson, the Siuslaw
National Forest’s interpretive
specialist, shares his story at 2
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, as part of
the Cape Perpetua Winter
Discovery Series at the Visitor
Center, three miles south of
Yachats.
The Cape Perpetua Winter
Discovery Series is an opportu-
nity to explore topics and
resources relevant to the
Oregon Coast during the off-
season
months
between
November and March.
All presentations and guided
walks are free, but a Northwest
Forest Pass, Oregon Coast
Passport or $5 day-use fee is
required within to the Cape
Perpetua Scenic Area.
Upcoming Winter Discover
Series events will include:
• Dec. 19, at 2 p.m. — Old-
Growth Forest Hikes: Learn
about the characteristics and
ecology of coastal old-growth
forests during ranger-led hikes.
All ages and hiking abilities
welcome; no RSVPs necessary.
• Dec. 27-31, from 11:30
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Whale
Watch Week.
Volunteers trained through
Oregon State Parks’s “Whale
Watch Spoken Here” program
will be at the Cape Perpetua
Visitor Center and viewpoints
throughout the Cape Perpetua
Scenic Area to help visitors
spot and learn about grey
whales during the mammals’s
winter migration to their breed-
ing grounds off Baja, Mexico.
No RSVPs necessary.
Thousands of lights to brighten aquarium for holidays during Sea of Lights
NEWPORT — SCUBA
Santa, sparkling lights and an
ocean of holiday cheer will
greet visitors every weekend
this December at the Oregon
Coast Aquarium’s Sea of Lights
celebration.
Over half a million colorful
lights and holiday decorations
will surround visitors with the
spirit of the season as they
explore the aquarium after
hours. Santa will be present
every night of Sea of Lights
until Christmas to pose for pho-
tos and note visitors’ Christmas
wishes.
This family-friendly event
kicks off with a special celebra-
tion Dec. 4, 5 and 6, from 6:30
to 9:30 p.m. Admission to the
first weekend of Sea of Lights
is $2 with 2 cans of nonperish-
able people or pet food for the
local food bank.
Entry is $8 per person with-
out donation. Admission is free
for aquarium members, but
they are encouraged to bring an
item to donate.
Sea of Lights will continue
to illuminate the aquarium
every following Saturday and
Sunday of December from 5 to
8 p.m.
Admission is $8, or free with
same day paid admission.
“Sea of Lights lets the aquar-
ium give back to the communi-
ty, but we also organize it for
the sheer fun of it. There is no
other place to go see a big light
display on the central Oregon
Coast,” said Michele Steen, the
event’s organizer.
This year’s Sea of Lights is
proudly presented by Walmart.
Customers who spend more
than $100 at Walmart’s
Newport will receive a voucher
for one free admission to Sea of
Lights at the Oregon Coast
Aquarium.
Offer valid while supplies
last and certain dates are sub-
ject to blackout. See store for
details.
Attendees using a voucher
are encouraged, but not
required, to make a food or toy
donation.
Join in the merriment this
December at the Oregon Coast
Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip
Road, Newport, OR. 97365.
The aquarium is open every
day, except Dec. 25, this winter
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information visit
www.aquarium.org or call 541-
867-3474.
A weekly roundup of shopping, savings and doings around town.
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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
YACHATS
—
Dave
Thompson was a summer sea-
sonal ranger in California’s
Redwoods National Park.
He lived an idyllic life in a
trailer within the park, where
most evenings he’d set out a
chair to observe the bear, elk
and even mountain lions, which
frequented the property.
It was a peaceful co-exis-