The Swan River to Bunbury crab fishery opened on 1 December and crab fishers are reminded to remove the head, guts (mustard) and gills from crabs caught in the Swan and Canning rivers before freezing, cooking or eating, and not to eat mussels at all.
This caution is due to the toxic algae Alexandrium. Its blooms have occurred in these rivers in recent years and have the potential to reoccur because algal cysts exist in the sediment.
Alexandrium can produce a type of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin which bioaccumulates in crustaceans and mussels. For this reason, it is important to take note of any caution signage along the rivers and be aware of health warnings about Alexandrium. Consumption of affected crabs may be dangerous, and in extreme cases can be fatal.
For a step by step guide on how to properly clean your blue swimmer crabs, visit http://fish.wa.gov.au/alerts. Watch the video, download the flyer or read the FAQs, so you can be prepared for a clean feed of blue swimmers this season.
Please also get to know the crabbing rules, including bag and size limits. http://rules.fish.wa.gov.au/Species/Index/27