Crab fishing closures recommended after whale entanglements
Associated PressSAN FRANCISCO — Two humpback whales were tangled in fishing gear off central California in recent days and state wildlife officials are recommending commercial Dungeness crab fishing be suspended to reduce the risk of more entanglements as the whales migrate north. Wildlife officials on Monday recommended commercial Dungeness crab fishing from Monterey Bay, south of San Francisco, to the Mexican border stop on April 8. Wildlife officials also recommended the lost or abandoned commercial Dungeness crab trap gear retrieval program begin on April 15. The decision to implement the closures will be made by Chuck Bonham, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who will take into account staff recommendations and recommendations from the Dungeness crab Fishing Gear Working Group, which includes members of the commercial crab fleet, environmental organizations and other agencies.
History of this topic
California’s commercial Dungeness crab season delayed again to protect whales
The Independent
Salmon populations are struggling, bringing economic woes for California’s fishing fleet
LA Times
California’s commercial Dungeness crab season to open Dec. 31 after delays to protect whales
LA Times
San Francisco D.A. sues fisherman for nearly $1 million for ‘egregious’ illegal crabbing
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