(KRON) – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Friday that the opening of the statewide commercial crab fishing season has been postponed to protect whales and sea turtles.
CDFW Director Charlton Bonham Make an announcement He reported Friday that researchers had observed blue whales, humpback whales and leatherback sea turtles in various fishing areas across the California coast. Based on the assessed risks, state law requires CDFW to postpone the commercial season, which was scheduled to open in November.
“After evaluating management’s considerations pursuant to Section 132.8(d)“I have determined that the administrative action… protects humpback whales, blue whales, and leatherback sea turtles based on the best available science,” the announcement said.
The agency will review the feasibility of opening the commercial crab season in its next risk assessment scheduled before Dec. 19. Ben Grundy, a Center for Biological Diversity employee, praised the state’s actions.
“Commercial crab fishing would pose a significant threat to whales and sea turtles off our coasts right now, so delaying the season is the right move,” Grande said in a statement. “These animals are having to adapt to the changing ocean and a growing marine heat wave in the Pacific, while dodging mazes of dangerous fishing gear and deadly, fast-moving vessels. Entanglements off California have been on the rise in recent years, so officials are being smart about not allowing more dangerous fishing gear into the water.”
California’s recreational crab fishing 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 entrails due to high levels. Domoic acid – A natural neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms. The recreational crab fishing 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 appear within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood.” California Department of Public Health Location countries. “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 difficulty breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent short-term memory loss, coma or death.”
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 permitted south of the Sonoma-Mendocino border, but they 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 entanglement in fishing gear,” Bonham said. “Partnerships and collaboration are more important than ever as we work together to protect endangered whales, turtles, and our fishing communities in the face of increasing disruption caused by climate change.”