State officials reports some Dungeness crabs harvested in southeast Alaska are showing elevated levels of the toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning.

The Juneau Empire reports three samples of crabs studied by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game taken in the Chilkat Inlet south of Haines showed toxin levels above the legal limit of 70 micrograms per 100 grams.

State officials say processors obtaining crab from North Lynn Canal, including Chilkat Inlet, Chilkoot Inlet and Lutak Inlet, must eviscerate them. They also say crabs obtained in that area cannot be sold whole until further notice.

Recreational or subsistence harvesters should also eviscerate crab. Officials say meat is not known to contain the toxin, which cannot be cooked out.