Dungeness crab season delayed again to protect whales

The start of the commercial Dungeness crab season in California has been delayed again, with local fishermen like Tom Capen calling it the “new normal.”

While the delay this time didn’t come as a surprise to Capen, he says it’s still a major setback.

“The price of fuel has doubled, tripled, and the price of bait has doubled, so it’s hard to come by now,” Capen says.

The delay affects fishing zones 3 and 4, including the central coast. California Fish and Wildlife has called for protection of humpback whales from possible entanglement in traps.

“The worst part is that they can die from the entanglement itself,” says Ryan Bartling, senior environmental scientist for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Heavy ropes can constrict them and prevent them from swimming or feeding properly. They may limit their ability to feed, reproduce…”

Even though recreational fishing is open, Capen worries about how it will affect the crab supply when the commercial season finally opens.

“The charter boats are bringing guys out and they’re getting as many as 200 people, they’re really damaging the crab resources,” Capen says.

Capen and other fishermen have been waiting for years for an incidental take permit that would allow them to fish even when whales are present. But four years later they are still waiting.

“It’s just going to happen, it’s a long process,” Capen says.

Bartling emphasizes the fact that this process may soon end:

“We expect it will take them (NOOA Fisheries) about a year to do the analysis, work out the conditions for the permit, and if they approve it, we could have it in hand probably in late 2025 or early 2026.” ” says Bartling.

Capen says while the delay may not impact holiday prices, fishermen are having a hard time staying profitable.

“If you were one of the last guys crabbing, you got a really higher price,” Capen explains. “But that doesn’t happen anymore because the whales come back and pretty much stop fishing by April, so it’s a very short season.”

The next risk assessment is scheduled for November 15th.