California is Delaying Crabbing Season in an Attempt to Protect Giant Humpback Whales

Commercial crabbing season has been delayed again in portions of California due to worries about endangered humpback whales that share their waters. Those expecting to catch a Dungeness crab for their Thanksgiving feast may find them in scarce supply this year.

Crab traps are made up of strong ropes from surface buoys to underwater wire or wood pots. The rope is stowed on a spool that may be acoustically called to the surface in the ropeless variants, giving less time for other creatures to become entangled.

The crabbing business has fought the change, claiming that the equipment is insufficient - and far too expensive. Traditional traps are often four times as costly as modern technologies. A coalition of crab industry organizations across the state opposed a California law filed this year that would mandate crabbers to use the gear by 2025, claiming the restrictions would put fishers out of business.

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