Commercial Dungeness crab fishers are facing another major setback as state officials announce an early season closure from the Oregon border to Pigeon Point.
Per the Press Democrat, effective April 30, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is halting traditional crabbing to prevent endangered humpback whales from becoming entangled in fishing gear. Director Meghan Hertel noted that rising ocean temperatures are pushing whales closer to shore, increasing the risk of dangerous encounters with standard buoy lines.
While the state will allow fishing to resume on May 7 using specialized “pop-up” gear, many local fishers say the high cost of the new equipment makes it financially impossible to continue. There are fears that the sudden shift will force many to stop working, further straining an industry already battered by years of delays.
Meanwhile, conservation groups are hailing the move as a vital “win-win” that supports marine life while testing innovative, wildlife-friendly fishing technologies.
