The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announces measures to protect endangered whales from Dungeness crab fishing

Whales in peril: Dungeness crab fishing poses a significant threat to humpback whales, prompting the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to reconsider commercial and recreational fishing regulations in certain areas of Northern California. Due to the alarming rate of whale entanglements, the department has decided to close the fishing season south of Pigeon Point, including Monterey Bay and Morro Bay, to protect these majestic creatures. This decision will be implemented on April 15, 2024, after the season had initially opened on January 5, 2024.

Why the closure is necessary

• The central California crab season had opened on January 5, but the fishing zone south of Pigeon Point, including Monterey Bay and Morro Bay, had remained open for too long, leading to the entanglement of a humpback whale in multiple sets of Dungeness crab gear in Monterey Bay. • The same whale has been reported entangled three different times since October, highlighting the urgent need for a closure. • Whale entanglement is fatal in 75% of cases, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service, making it essential to address this issue promptly.

Statistics and expert opinions

• In the last three seasons, 33 humpback whales out of a total of 38 were first sighted entangled after the central California crab season closed, according to Oceana’s data. • According to Oceana, the reported entanglements are only 10% of the actual entanglements, suggesting that the real problem is much more severe. • Geoff Shester, Oceana’s California campaign director and senior scientist, stated,

“California’s plan for reducing whale entanglements is not working. Keeping the Bay Area and Northern California crab season open right now presents an extreme risk to endangered whales — with very low reward — that will ultimately hurt California fishing communities in the long-term.”

A possible solution: Experimental fishing gear

• Oceana has been promoting the use of experimental fishing gear, such as pop-up fishing gear, to reduce whale entanglements. • This gear stores the rope and buoy with a trap on the seafloor until an acoustic release mechanism sends the buoy to the surface. • In an experiment last spring, 19 fishermen tested pop-up gear while waters were closed to conventional crab gear, resulting in a 98% success rate and yielding $1.5 million worth of crab. • This success rate suggests that pop-up gear could be an effective way to reduce whale entanglements while still allowing fishermen to catch crab.

Pop-up gear success rate in experimental test	98%
Economic yield of crab in experimental test	$1.5 million

Long-term consequences of inaction

• If the California Department of Fish and Wildlife fails to take action to protect humpback whales, the consequences could be severe and long-lasting. • Whale entanglements can cause severe damage and drowning, making them fatal in 75% of cases. • Continued entanglements could lead to a decline in the population of humpback whales, putting these magnificent creatures at risk of extinction.

The future of sustainable fishing in California

• The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is taking steps to protect humpback whales and promote sustainable fishing practices. • By closing the fishing season in certain areas and promoting the use of experimental fishing gear, the department is working to reduce whale entanglements and promote a healthier ocean ecosystem. • This approach may require some adjustments to traditional fishing practices, but it could ultimately lead to a more sustainable and responsible fishing industry in California. Conclusion
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s decision to close the fishing season south of Pigeon Point, including Monterey Bay and Morro Bay, is a positive step towards protecting endangered humpback whales. By taking action to address the issue of whale entanglements, the department is working to promote sustainable fishing practices and protect the ocean ecosystem. While there may be some challenges to implementing this new approach, the potential rewards are significant, and it is clear that the future of sustainable fishing in California depends on this decision.
More action is needed to protect these magnificent creatures.
The fate of humpback whales in California will continue to hang in the balance, and it is up to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure that they receive the protection they need to thrive.