With the blue swimmer crabbing season underway in the Swan and Canning rivers, recreational fishers are reminded to remove the head, guts (mustard) and gills from crabs caught in these rivers before freezing, cooking or eating.
This is a general caution because toxic algal bloom events of Alexandrium have been detected in the Swan and Canning rivers at elevated levels in recent years and could become an annual occurrence.
It is important to take note of new caution signage along the rivers and be aware of health warnings about Alexandrium, an alga which can produce a type of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin, which bioaccumulates in crustacea and mussels.
Consumption of affected crabs and mussels may be dangerous, and in extreme cases, can be fatal.
For a step by step guide on how to properly clean your crabs, visit fish.wa.gov.au/alerts, where you can 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 know your crabbing rules, including bag and size limits.
