"Again this year, California officials are delaying the state's commercial Dungeness crab season because of the numerous reports throughout 2025 of migrating humpback whales getting ensnared by old crab-pot fishing lines and other gear. The upcoming season normally would start Nov. 15 in coastal waters from the Oregon state line to the Mexican border. Recreational crabbers will be allowed to begin their season with restrictions in many parts of the state."
"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, said Ben Grundy, oceans campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity, in reaction to the news. 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."
California officials postponed the state's commercial Dungeness crab season due to numerous 2025 reports of migrating humpback whales becoming ensnared by old crab-pot lines and other gear. The commercial season normally begins Nov. 15 along coastal waters from the Oregon state line to the Mexican border. Recreational crabbers will be allowed to begin with restrictions in many areas, while a toxin detected in Northern California waters will delay fishing there. Charlton H. Bonham, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, made the decision after consulting fishing industry representatives, environmental organizations and scientists. Industry groups expressed concern about economic impacts and conservation groups praised the move to protect whales and sea turtles amid rising entanglements and marine heat wave conditions.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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