California Crab Season Shut Down June 1

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA一 June 1 marked the end of the commercial crab season in Northern California after the California Department of Fish and Wildlife called for an end to the season six weeks before the original July 15 end date. A recent survey showed data that indicated that there is an increase in the number of Humpback whales returning to their California fishing grounds from their winter breeding grounds. Working with the knowledge of this increase in risk for the marine life population and operating under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program, CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham called for a closure of the season and the removal of commercial crab traps by June 1 at 12 p.m. “It has been a very difficult year for many in our fishing communities and I recognize that every day of lost fishing further impacts families and small businesses,” said Bonham in a press release from May 18. “I acknowledge the sacrifices and resilience of California’s fishermen and women and look forward to continuing to work with the fleet and the Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group to minimize entanglement risk while maximizing opportunities.” This risk assessment is the tenth since late October and is part of RAMP, a program...