November 22, 2024 — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has ordered another delay in the commercial Dungeness crab fishing season — the second so far this year.
The risk of whales becoming tangled in crab fishing gear remains high for most of the coastal waters from the Mendocino County line south to the Mexican border, director Charlton H. Bonham announced Thursday.
The postponement allows more time for the whales’ safe passage to their winter breeding grounds.
In the far north, where crabbing was supposed to be allowed starting Dec. 1, there’s a second issue: Tests on crab meat quality could not be conducted because of high levels of domoic acid found in the samples collected.
Domoic acid, a toxin that could sicken anyone who eats the tainted crab, destroyed Northern California’s 2015-2016 commercial season and created delays in other years.
Lisa Damrosch, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, said that while her members are eager to get out on the water — “it’s critical for local food production and the economic health of our coastal ports” — they understand the safeguards that have been put in place.