Local businesses hurt by closure of crab fisheries may get loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking information about businesses that suffered economic losses as a result of recent restrictions on commercial and recreational fisheries for Dungeness crab and rock crab.

These two fisheries were closed in November along the coast because of unsafe levels of a toxin called domoic acid, caused by a massive coastal algae bloom fueled by El Niño. The fisheries reopened this month in parts of California.

If the SBA finds sufficient evidence that the economic impacts of the closures were enough to meet its disaster loan criteria, the agency may make low-interest loans available to those with such losses. The loans would be available to any business or other entity impacted by the closures, not just fishermen.

For more information, visit the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services at www.slocounty.ca.gov/oes.

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Local businesses hurt by closure of crab fisheries may get loans."