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DIY personal domoic acid testing of crabs?
Question: Is there any kind of domoic acid test kit available that a consumer can use to test his/her own crabs? I would think there would be a lot of interest in this. I love to catch and eat crabs but also hate risking getting sick! (Bob W.)
Answer: If you do a Google search you will find some kits that state they will detect Domoic acid toxins in shellfish, marine algae and water samples. However, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) cannot comment on the suitability of these products to address your concerns.
You can minimize your risk though by following California Department of Public Health (CDPH) advisories.
In their recent news release, CDPH advised that meat from Dungeness crabs caught in areas where the advisory has been lifted is safe to consume. However, consumers are advised to not eat the viscera (internal organs, also known as “butter” or “guts”) of crabs.
Crab viscera usually contain much higher levels of domoic acid than the crab body meat. When whole crabs are cooked in liquid, domoic acid may leach from the viscera into the cooking liquid.
Water or broth used to cook whole crabs should be discarded and not used to prepare dishes such as sauces, broths, soups or stews (i.e. cioppino or gumbo), stocks, roux, dressings or dips.
To check for current health warnings on the consumption of crabs and other shellfish, I suggest you call CDPH’s shellfish hotline at 800-553-4133 or visit CDPH’s Domoic Acid health information Web page, http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/Pages/fdbDomoicAcidInfo.aspx . This information is always up to date and available via a recorded message 24/7.
If I see a mountain lion, who do I call?
Question: What do I do when I see a mountain lion come on my property? Who do I call? (Darren M.)
Answer: If you see a mountain lion come onto your property, you don't need to call anyone unless the animal is acting aggressively toward you or your family, or if it appears to be sick or diseased.
If you feel it is an immediate threat to you, call 911. But mountain lions are usually just looking for deer or other prey animals.
If you do know you have a mountain lion around your home, I suggest you keep small children, pets and other animals in a protective area, especially from early evening through mornings when mountain lions are most active.
If the animal is just passing through, as they typically do, you might just watch it and enjoy the unique opportunity you're being given to actually see one. Most people will never have the chance to see one in their lifetimes.
For more information, please check out our living with mountain lions Web page, https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/keep-me-wild/lion .
Do blue catfish reproduce in California?
Question: Do blue catfish reproduce in California lakes? If not, why? (Mike M., Anaheim)
Answer: Blue catfish can reproduce in lakes provided they have the right cave type of habitats. Spawning blue cats construct nests under overhanging rock ledges along deeply undercut banks and other sheltered places.
In lakes that are self-contained where the lake managers purchase the fish from private hatcheries, CDFW cannot be sure if those fish were genetically altered for increased growth. If they were, those fish could be infertile.
Lifetime license still valid if I move out of state?
Question: I was looking into the Lifetime Hunting/Fishing license. This may be a stupid question but if I leave the state of California and change my residency, do I forfeit the whole lifetime license? I assume I must live in California in order to qualify. (Bill)
Answer: No, you won’t forfeit it. Under the provisions of a Lifetime Hunting or Fishing License, your license is valid for hunting/fishing when you return to visit even if you move out of state.
You would be required to buy non-resident tags for big game species but the license is still valid. For more on the benefits and privileges of hunting and fishing lifetime licenses, please visit the department Web site, https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Lifetime .
Can you harvest abalone for a handicapped individual?
Question: Just curious if there are any provisions in the abalone regulations to allow someone to assist a handicapped person.
For example, if the person is unable to dive for abalone, can someone else harvest the catch for them? (Todd J., Milbrae)
Answer: No, an individual may only take or possess one daily limit of abalone (which is three).
A diver could take three abalone one day, record and tag them with their abalone report punch card and tags, and then give them to a disabled person who is not able to dive.
Then the following day, the diver may go out to get three more abalone for themselves, and again, report them on the punch card and tag them in accordance with the regulations.
Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at
NOTICE OF PROPOSED MINOR USE PERMIT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Lake County Zoning Administrator will consider approving Minor Use Permit Modification MMU (16-02) of GREG CLOUSE in accordance with Lake County Code to allow the construction of an additional 720 square foot accessory structure and to allow an existing 2,400 square foot garage and a 1,000 square foot single family residence to remain as constructed on property located at 13371 Prather Way, Cobb, and being Assessors Parcel Number 052-023-07.
The Planner processing this application is Keith Gronendyke, (707) 263-2221 or
The Zoning Administrator will approve this MINOR USE PERMIT if no written request for a public hearing is submitted by 5:00 P.M., May 11, 2016 to the Community Development Department, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, California.
Should a timely request for a public hearing be filed, one will be held on May 18, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor of the Courthouse.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Scott DeLeon, lnterim Director
By: ______________________________________
Danae Bowen, Office Assistant III
James Lawrence Walters
1932 - 2016
Born to Francis and Constance Walters in Denver, Colo.
Survived by wife, Yvonne Walters; step-children, Jim (Kathy) Kintz, Mark Kintz, Chuck (Patti) Kintz and Patricia (Ken) Crumpler; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial service at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Kelseyville, Calif., on May 21, 2016, at 11 a.m.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Green Party of Lake County will host a candidates for state Assembly and Congress when it meets on Sunday, May 15.
The group will meet from 4 to 7 p.m. at Round Table Pizza, 821 11th St. in Lakeport
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, current mayor of Winters and candidate for the Fourth Assembly District to succeed Bill Dodd – who is running for the California State Senate – and Nils Palsson, candidate for Congress.
Meetings are free and open to everyone, regardless of political party.
If you wish to be on the agenda as a speaker call 707-263-3391 Joanne or email
To find out more about the Green Party go to www.cagreens.org or www.gpus.org , and visit the local party's site at http://lakecountygreenparty.bravesites.com .
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Lake County Public Services Department announced that its Parks Division is seeking applicants for one lead lifeguard and one lifeguard for the Middletown Pool this spring for the summer season.
The pool summer season is tentatively scheduled to run from June 12 to Aug. 11.
Special requirements for this position are the possession of a current lifeguard certificate, community cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate (eight hours), standard first aid certificate (eight hours), and emergency medical service authority certificate (eight hours) or acquire EMSA certificate prior to June 1, 2016.
Lifeguard applicants must be at least 18 years of age or older.
Special requirements for the lead lifeguard applicants are to be at least 18 years of age or older and possession of a Water Safety Instructor Certification is preferred.
The Public Services Department encourages all qualified individuals interested in becoming a Lifeguard for the Middletown Pool this coming summer season, to call 707-262-1618 or come in to the Public Services Department at 333 Second St. in Lakeport to apply.
If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact the Public Services Department at 707-262-1618.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Thunderstorms and showers were reported around Northern California on Thursday, with Lake County getting a share of thunder, lightning, heavy rain and hail.
The National Weather Service reported that the sudden and scattered thunderstorms were occurring around the region, as the storm system moved over Northern California.
In Lake County, separate thunderstorms with rain and hail were reported in the late morning and early afternoon.
In Lakeport, at around 11 a.m. heavy rain – accompanied by thunder and lightning – was reported. It was captured in a video, shown above, by Rebekah Dolby of the Lakeport Police Department.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said he hadn't heard such loud thunder in the county in years.
Lt. Jason Ferguson said the loud thunder actually broke a window in the police department's records office and shook the entire building.
In addition, he said lightning struck the antenna on the department's roof, knocking out computers for much of the day.
Rasmussen said they received a number of calls regarding alarms had been triggered, but received no reports of other damage.
In the afternoon, another thunderstorm passed over the Northshore area, with flashes of lightning over the hills and loud claps of thunder.
In another part of the county there was a report of an oak tree getting split in half by a lightning strike.
Around the county there also were reports of hail. Jon Gilbertson shared pictures of a covering of dime-sized hail on the deck of his home near Loch Lomond.
The National Weather Service reported modest 24-hour rainfall totals through 3 a.m. Friday. Totals included the following, in inches: Indian Valley Reservoir, 0.34; Kelseyville, 0.28; Middletown, 0.10; and Upper Lake, 0.20.
There could be more storms to look forward to during this weekend.
The National Weather Service is forecasting showers and thunderstorms on Friday, with chances of precipitation estimated at 60 percent during the day and 50 percent at night.
On Saturday, forecasters estimated a 50-percent chance of rain and thunderstorms during the day and 30-percent on Saturday night; and a 20-percent chance of precipitation on Sunday, with conditions then clearing into the middle of next week.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
