SANTA ROSA, Calif. – State Sen. Mike McGuire, chairman of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Assemblyman Jim Wood, committee vice-chair, are hosting a hearing focused on the delayed opening of the Dungeness crab season.

“The California Dungeness and Rock Crab Fishery: Public Health, Ocean Conditions and Maintaining a Strong Coastal Economy” will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the main room of the Steele Lane Community Center, 415 Steele Lane, Santa Rosa.

State and federal agency representatives, fishing industry representatives, leaders from the Dungeness Crab Task Force, North Coast county elected officials and more will participate.

The legislators will be focused on public health issues, ocean conditions and the coastal fishing economy.

A panel of experts will discuss the current status, ocean conditions, what to expect in the weeks ahead and impacts of the season delay.

In early November, just as the recreational and commercial Dungeness crab seasons were set to open, unsafe levels of domoic acid were found in local crab.

“We know that the North Coast is crab country – it’s a top industry here – and the decision to delay the opening did not come lightly,” McGuire said. “This forum will bring all of the industry experts together in one location, focused on protecting the public’s health, ocean conditions and our crab dependent coastal economy.”

“This hearing will provide an important opportunity to bring together industry leaders, and decision makers,” said Wood. “It is crucial that we know what we to expect for the rest of this crab season, and what to be prepared for in the future.”

The closure will remain in effect until the Director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with the Director of the California Department of Public Health, determines that domoic acid levels no longer pose a significant risk to public health and no longer recommends the fisheries be closed.

The Dungeness crab fishery is in the top tier of California’s commercial fisheries. Values have exceeded $95 million per year and long-term averages of nearly $60 million.

For more information on the health advisories and the commission’s decision to delay the recreational Dungeness crab season, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/health-advisories .