Local Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Faces Further Delay

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has formally announced a further delay to the commencement of the commercial Dungeness crab season, pushing the potential opening date back to at least December 21. This decision has been made in light of ongoing sightings of humpback whales in the region and the recent tragic death of an endangered leatherback sea turtle.

The postponement of the Dungeness crab season marks the third instance it has been delayed. The state wildlife department has cited the continued presence of migrating humpback whales along the California coast and the unfortunate entanglement of an endangered leatherback sea turtle in lost Dungeness crab gear from a previous season as the reasons for the delay.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has scheduled a risk assessment on or around December 21, during which available data will be re-evaluated to determine if it is safe to commence the commercial crab season. Furthermore, a restriction on recreational crab-trap fishing remains in effect in certain areas until the next risk assessment is conducted.

Despite this delay, Dungeness crab from other locations can still be found in Santa Cruz County at businesses such as H&H Fresh Fish Co, which stocks live crabs sourced from the state of Washington.

In response to the announcement, Geoff Shester, California campaign director and senior scientist for ocean advocacy organization Oceana, commended the decision to prioritize the protection of whales and sea turtles. He emphasized the need to prevent entanglements that pose a threat to these endangered marine creatures.

By making use of safe opportunities to feed and swim off the California coast, these protective measures aim to safeguard the lives of humpback whales and sea turtles. Ocean advocacy organization Oceana also expressed its concern over the anticipated El Niño conditions during the winter, which may further increase the risk to humpback whales if crab traps are present.

The ongoing postponement of the Dungeness crab season has had significant implications for the local fishing industry in Santa Cruz. Coupled with the loss of the commercial salmon season this year, these delays have posed numerous challenges for commercial fishermen in the region.

Tim Obert, president of the Santa Cruz Commercial Fishermen’s Association, highlighted the impact of the situation on local fishermen, describing it as “the worst year” he has witnessed. He noted the absence of the salmon season as a particularly detrimental factor for commercial crabbers, who typically rely on it to support their livelihoods during delays in the crabbing season.

In conclusion, the ongoing delays to the commercial Dungeness crab season in California are a source of concern for local fishermen and stakeholders in the industry. As wildlife authorities work to prioritize the safety and well-being of endangered marine species, the fishing community faces a challenging period ahead. As we await further updates on the potential opening date, efforts to mitigate the impact of these delays on the local fishing industry will be closely monitored.