The US state of California delays commercial Dungeness crab season due to whale presence

Published 2024년 11월 4일

Tridge summary

The commercial Dungeness crab season in California, scheduled to start on 15 November, has been delayed for the sixth year in a row due to the presence of humpback whales in the area. The delay is a result of California law, which mandates that state regulators close fishing zones to protect whales from entanglement. Aerial surveys by NOAA and Cascadia Research in October 2024 revealed a significant number of humpback whales in the affected fishing zones, leading to the season's postponement. The state will reassess the risk of whale entanglements and provide an update on the status of the season in the future.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The presence of humpback whales off the coast of the U.S. state of California has triggered a delay of the state’s commercial Dungeness crab season for the sixth consecutive year.Commercial harvesting in fishing zones 3, 4, 5, and 6 – which cover the area from the state’s Mexican border north to Gualala, California – was slated to start 15 November, but the fishery will remain closed after state officials detected the presence of a large number of humpback whales in the area. California law requires state regulators to implement protective measures when there is a high risk of humpback whale entanglement.“On 19 October 2024, aerial surveys undertaken by NOAA researchers observed 108 humpback whales in Fishing Zone 3,” California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director ...

Source: Seafoodsource