The Dungeness crab inhabits eelgrass beds and water bottoms along the west coast of North America and is a popular seafood. (California Department of Fish and Wildlife via Bay City News)

Dungeness crab season is off to a slow start this year, with wildlife and health concerns delaying the commercial harvest by at least a week and prompting safety warnings for recreational fishermen.

The California Department of Public Health advises people catching crab recreationally not to consume the viscera (internal organs or guts) of crab caught in two coastal areas due to the presence of domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin.

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