California Delays Dungeness Crab Season for seventh Yr to Defend Humpback Whales

For the seventh consecutive yr, California’s Dungeness crab season is delayed, with state officers pushing the start date once more to cease migrating humpback whales from getting entangled in fishing gear.

Initially set to start out on Nov. 15 for waters south of Mendocino County, the season will now be postponed until on the very least Dec. 1, in keeping with the California Division of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

This alternative comes amid ongoing issues that typical crab pot traces can damage whales, which might be passing by means of California’s coastal waters as part of their seasonal migration, AP Info reported.

Yearly, humpback whales journey alongside the Pacific Coast, the place they hazard encountering fishing instruments in high-traffic areas. When these whales grow to be entangled in crab pot traces, it might really end in accidents, exhaustion, and even lack of life in the event that they can’t free themselves.

Whale Entanglement Points Spur Identify for Safer Gear

Conservation groups, along with Oceana and the Coronary heart for Natural Selection, have been vocal regarding the risks posed by commonplace fishing practices. They’re calling for the state to hurry up the adoption of safer, rope-free gear to raised defend marine life with out significantly affecting crab fishing.

CDFW made this alternative in session with environmental organizations, fishery representatives, and marine scientists, who talked about the most recent whale entanglement data.

In step with newest opinions, 4 humpback whales had been confirmed entangled in crab fishing gear this yr, with additional circumstances involving unidentified fishing instruments. This proof reveals the continued threat to whales and has led to a unique analysis set for Nov. 22 to guage the potential of an early December start, in keeping with The Seattle Cases.

Whereas the enterprise season faces delays, the leisure crab season will open as deliberate on Nov. 2, albeit with restrictions on using lure gear. Leisure crabbers will probably be restricted to hoop nets and crab snares, reducing the potential for unintended whale entanglements until extra assessments are made.

This assortment of delays began in 2015, following a interval of challenges along with harmful algae blooms that affected the crabs. Since then, issues about whale safety have led to regular adjustments.