The California Department of Fish and Wildlife on Friday announced the closure of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery for a large portion of the state’s coast due to recent entanglements involving humpback whales.
The commercial Dungeness crab fishery between the Mendocino-Sonoma County line to the U.S.-Mexico border is set to close at noon on April 8, CDFW officials said.
The closure is being implemented due to two recent incidents in which humpback whales became entangled with ropes from commercial crab traps — one happening in San Mateo County and another in the Monterey Bay.
Commercial Dungeness crab season traditionally starts in mid-November, however, in recent years the seasons have been continually delayed due to either domoic acid or concerns for whales. This year, the commercial season began on Dec. 29.
“The past few seasons have been difficult for fishing families, communities and businesses, but it is imperative that we strike the right balance between protecting humpback whales and providing fishing opportunity,” CDFW director Charlton Bonham said in a statement.
The non-profit organization Center for Biological Diversity applauded the state’s move and called for a transition to commercial traps that don’t use ropes.
“We’re glad to see this closure protect whales from crab gear off California’s coast, but recent entanglements show that California has to do more to protect these animals,” said Catherine Kilduff, attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity’s Oceans program.
“Humpback whales migrate hundreds of miles to Monterey Bay, and state officials should protect every single one while they’re feeding there. It’s time to get serious about moving to ropeless gear that keeps whales safe off the California coast,” she said.
CDWF officials are asking fishermen and boaters to keep an eye out for entangled whales and report them immediately to 1-877-SOS-WHALE or to contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16.
They’re just itching to stop it completely. Always some exuse.
+1
In addition to exporting pollution, California is well on the way to becoming a net-fish importer, pun intended.
Thanks to State regulations for killing local jobs and livelihoods…. again.
At $12+ per pound, I wasn’t buying anyway.
Correct and the last I saw them at 99 ranch was $14.99 a lb!
Agree. If at store and buying already prepared crab meat the price ranges from $56 – $66 per pound.
Current population has rebounded to nearly 80,000 Humpback whales up from a low-point of 10,000 to 15,000. Kill The crab season and put all fisherman’s crab families on welfare B.S. and screw the C.B.D
By the way CDFW also reminds crabbers that new regulations require recreational crab traps to have a single standardized main buoy which measures at least 5 inches by 11 inches and a single red marker buoy that measures 3 inches by 5 inches. The marker buoy may be attached to the main buoy or on a trailer line no more than 3 feet in length. No additional buoys or trailer buoys may be used.
There is also a 10-trap limit, and all traps must be serviced at least every nine days. Lastly, each recreational crabber who uses traps must also have a Recreational Crab Trap Validation, which is available for purchase online from the CDFW License and Revenue Branch or at licensed retailers. More regulations for Californians. Enough.
Oh for the love of seafood!
Just f-ing forget it!
Center for Biological Diversity? SMH
I don’t have a crab in this fight.
Which fast food restaurant used to offer “The Whaler” seafood sandwich? Time for it to make a comeback! 😉
Long John Silver? ……Cali has too many regs for everything and prices were too high anyway.. partly their own demise
I think that was Burger King.
Save the LGBTQ baby autistic minority whales
That’s on the menu at the Soul Ben Thanh Restaurant.
I stopped caring about crab when it got above 10dollars a pound.
Just buy a cheap used fishing pole and a crsb smare … go to the coast and catch your own ctsb … free crab for the people, courtesy of the Pacific Ocean … turn off the phone for a day, get fresh sea-salted air, say hello to some gulls, get your feet wet & sandy, and maybe make news friends with other crabbers … crabbing is fun!
Good! Leave our ocean life alone!
@Winnie The Pooh….And just what are the people in the world supposed to eat, bugs and grass clippings?…I think not.
Yes it is very important to protect the Guardians of the Seas so the little creatures that dwell on the land can live as well. That is us.
Having been a life-long fisherman, it seems the California Department of Fish and Wildlife just gets-off by closing fisheries. Starting back with the closures off the Coast here, to the striped bass (their not native), to sturgeon, and salmon in and out of the gate.
There’s no mention (that I see), from private civilian boats. When the commercial season opens, it’s like the area has been carpet bombed.
They never talk about the low fresh water removed from the Delta. Normal flows trigger fish to spawn, make small fishies. High outflows trigger their natural instinct to spawn.
They are mostly political, always agreeing with what the law makers TELL them what their OPINION is, LOL.
They haven’t done SQUAT to HELP our local fisheries…and they are getting real good at using excuses to close crabbing…
+1
Biological equity; hey why not.
That’s why I contribute to “Help Kelp, stop senseless algae destruction”.
To apply a quote from Kamala: because things that are bigger attack it, and that’s wrong.
Have you seen a mammal whale entangled in a fishing net on YouTube? Not a pretty sight and a cruel way to die. We must all do our part to make crabbing human as possible, not impossible with restrictions.