California commercial Dungeness crab season delayed across the state

(KRON) — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has delayed the opening of commercial crabbing season statewide to protect whales and sea turtles, the agency announced Friday.

CDFW Director Charlton Bonham issued a declaration Friday stating that researchers observed blue whales, humpback whales, and leatherback sea turtles in various fishing zones across the California coast. Based on the assessed risks, state law requires the CDFW to delay the commercial season, which was scheduled to open in November.

“Upon evaluation of the management considerations pursuant to Section 132.8(d), I have determined that the management action … protects humpback whales, blue whales, and leatherback sea turtles based on the best available science,” the declaration reads.

The agency will review the possibility of opening commercial crabbing season at the next risk assessment scheduled before Dec. 19. Center for Biological Diversity employee Ben Grundy applauded the state’s actions.

“Commercial Dungeness crab fishing would be too much of a threat to the whales and sea turtles off our coast right now, so delaying the season is the right move,” Grundy said in a statement. “These animals are being forced to adapt to the changing ocean and a growing Pacific marine heat wave, while dodging mazes of dangerous fishing gear and deadly fast-moving ships. Entanglements have spiked off California in recent years, so officials are smartly exercising caution by not allowing more dangerous fishing gear in the water.”

California’s recreational crabbing season, which begins Nov. 1, also faces restrictions. From the Sonoma-Mendocino County line to Point Reyes, health officials are advising the public not to eat crab viscera due to high levels of domoic acid — a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms. Recreational crabbing season will remain closed from the Oregon border to the Sonoma-Mendocino county line until further notice due to unhealthy levels of domoic acid.

“Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood,” the California Department of Public Health website states. “In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory, coma or death.”

The CDFW is also temporarily restricting the use of recreational crab traps between the Sonoma-Mendocino county line and Lopez Point in Monterey County due to the presence of humpback whales. Hoop nets are allowed south of the Sonoma-Mendocino border, but cannot be left unattended and must be checked every two hours.

“CDFW remains steadfast in our commitment to working collaboratively with all sectors to protect whales and turtles from entanglements in fishing gear,” Bonham said. “Partnerships and collaborations are more important than ever as we work together to protect endangered whales and turtles and our fishing communities in the face of increasing disruptions from our changing climate.”