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Based on updated information and in response to concerns from the commercial Dungeness crab fleet, including written requests from Port Associations to further delay, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham intends to further delay the start date for the California Dungeness crab fishery south of the Mendocino/Sonoma county line.
On Wednesday, Director Bonham issued a preliminary determination that the Nov. 22 start date poses a significant risk of marine life entanglement.
The anticipated management response is a further delay of the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in that area until Dec. 15.
An aerial survey conducted by CDFW within Greater Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries on Monday, Nov. 18, showed whales throughout the survey area with concentrations foraging in depths between 30 and 50 fathoms off Point Reyes and Half Moon Bay.
CDFW is working to schedule a followup aerial reconnaissance flight to further evaluate whale presence in advance of Dec. 15 and will convene the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group the first week of December to conduct a risk evaluation.
Under the authority of Fish and Game Code, section 8276.1(c)(1), the director may restrict take of commercial Dungeness crab if there is a significant risk of marine life entanglement due to fishing gear.
As required in Fish and Game Code, section 8276.1(c)(4), the director is providing 48 hours’ notice to the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group and other stakeholders.
Director Bonham will consider any recommendations or new information provided by 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. Anyone with recommendations and information related to this preliminary determination should submit it toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by that deadline.
No vessel may take, possess or land crab in an area closed for a significant entanglement risk. Fishing gear may not be deployed in any area closed to fishing.
CDFW, the fleet and the interested stakeholders are still at the start of an emerging effort to implement real-time decision-making processes.
For the last 24 hours before the Wednesday announcement, CDFW has been engaged in real-time discussion and decision making, responding to industry requests for further delay.
Everyone recognizes the risks and all are committed to addressing that risk and developing the tools to assess and manage risk with more refinement.
CDFW said it is committed to continuing to evaluate information as it is available in real-time to ensure that restrictions on the fishery are lifted as expeditiously as possible.
CDFW also said it appreciates the challenges and difficulties that come with the beginning of a new approach, and we appreciate the understanding of the public, the fleet, the Working Group and Californians hungry for crabs.
In related news, test results received Wednesday from the California Department of Public Health show there is no longer a public health concern regarding the safety of crab from the Mendocino/Sonoma county line to the California/Mexico border.
For the latest information on the Dungeness crab season, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab and 2019-2020 Dungeness Crab Fishery Best Practices Guide.
On Wednesday, Director Bonham issued a preliminary determination that the Nov. 22 start date poses a significant risk of marine life entanglement.
The anticipated management response is a further delay of the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in that area until Dec. 15.
An aerial survey conducted by CDFW within Greater Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries on Monday, Nov. 18, showed whales throughout the survey area with concentrations foraging in depths between 30 and 50 fathoms off Point Reyes and Half Moon Bay.
CDFW is working to schedule a followup aerial reconnaissance flight to further evaluate whale presence in advance of Dec. 15 and will convene the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group the first week of December to conduct a risk evaluation.
Under the authority of Fish and Game Code, section 8276.1(c)(1), the director may restrict take of commercial Dungeness crab if there is a significant risk of marine life entanglement due to fishing gear.
As required in Fish and Game Code, section 8276.1(c)(4), the director is providing 48 hours’ notice to the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group and other stakeholders.
Director Bonham will consider any recommendations or new information provided by 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. Anyone with recommendations and information related to this preliminary determination should submit it to
No vessel may take, possess or land crab in an area closed for a significant entanglement risk. Fishing gear may not be deployed in any area closed to fishing.
CDFW, the fleet and the interested stakeholders are still at the start of an emerging effort to implement real-time decision-making processes.
For the last 24 hours before the Wednesday announcement, CDFW has been engaged in real-time discussion and decision making, responding to industry requests for further delay.
Everyone recognizes the risks and all are committed to addressing that risk and developing the tools to assess and manage risk with more refinement.
CDFW said it is committed to continuing to evaluate information as it is available in real-time to ensure that restrictions on the fishery are lifted as expeditiously as possible.
CDFW also said it appreciates the challenges and difficulties that come with the beginning of a new approach, and we appreciate the understanding of the public, the fleet, the Working Group and Californians hungry for crabs.
In related news, test results received Wednesday from the California Department of Public Health show there is no longer a public health concern regarding the safety of crab from the Mendocino/Sonoma county line to the California/Mexico border.
For the latest information on the Dungeness crab season, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab and 2019-2020 Dungeness Crab Fishery Best Practices Guide.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Mike McGuire, chair of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Assemblymember Mark Stone, vice chair, are hosting an important hearing on two critical topics: the upcoming Dungeness crab season and how fish passage barriers on our state highways are impacting species recovery.
The hearing, titled “State of the 2019-20 Dungeness Crab Season and Putting Fish Friendly Highways in the Fast Lane,” will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon at the State Capitol in Room 112.
“The past five years have been some of the most challenging on record for crab fishermen up and down the coast,” Sen. McGuire said. “While we’re hoping for the best this year, the hearing will be focused on any challenges that may lie ahead including ocean heating, domoic acid levels, potential marine life entanglements as well as remaining concerns about crab size and weight. We hope folks will join us for a comprehensive overview of this top tier fishery.”
The first portion of the hearing will focus on the upcoming Dungeness crab season and any potential impacts that may be on the horizon and when consumers can expect to have crab on the holiday dinner table.
Experts from across the west will focus on ocean heating, domoic acid levels, crab quality tests, risk of whale and marine life entanglements and the recent declaration to delay the season opener.
The JCFA will also hear testimony from fisheries leaders about their perspectives and concerns regarding the Dungeness crab fishery.
The committee will also do a deep dive on fish passage barriers that currently exist on our state highways and the urgent need to protect and restore California’s native fisheries in the face of a changing climate.
Testimony will address the problem created by fish passage barriers and the urgent need for fish to access headwater habitats.
“California’s endangered fish populations are on the brink, especially in the face of a changing climate,” Sen. McGuire said. “There’s a lot this state can do to help the recovery of endangered fish species, and one of the most critical steps we can take is to remove the thousands of fish migration barriers that exist due to our state highway system. We look forward to the collaborative discussion on Tuesday and developing a long term plan to implement fish friendly highways.”
The public is welcome to attend. The hearing will also be live-streamed at www.senate.ca.gov.
The hearing, titled “State of the 2019-20 Dungeness Crab Season and Putting Fish Friendly Highways in the Fast Lane,” will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon at the State Capitol in Room 112.
“The past five years have been some of the most challenging on record for crab fishermen up and down the coast,” Sen. McGuire said. “While we’re hoping for the best this year, the hearing will be focused on any challenges that may lie ahead including ocean heating, domoic acid levels, potential marine life entanglements as well as remaining concerns about crab size and weight. We hope folks will join us for a comprehensive overview of this top tier fishery.”
The first portion of the hearing will focus on the upcoming Dungeness crab season and any potential impacts that may be on the horizon and when consumers can expect to have crab on the holiday dinner table.
Experts from across the west will focus on ocean heating, domoic acid levels, crab quality tests, risk of whale and marine life entanglements and the recent declaration to delay the season opener.
The JCFA will also hear testimony from fisheries leaders about their perspectives and concerns regarding the Dungeness crab fishery.
The committee will also do a deep dive on fish passage barriers that currently exist on our state highways and the urgent need to protect and restore California’s native fisheries in the face of a changing climate.
Testimony will address the problem created by fish passage barriers and the urgent need for fish to access headwater habitats.
“California’s endangered fish populations are on the brink, especially in the face of a changing climate,” Sen. McGuire said. “There’s a lot this state can do to help the recovery of endangered fish species, and one of the most critical steps we can take is to remove the thousands of fish migration barriers that exist due to our state highway system. We look forward to the collaborative discussion on Tuesday and developing a long term plan to implement fish friendly highways.”
The public is welcome to attend. The hearing will also be live-streamed at www.senate.ca.gov.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
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