For the sixth year in a row, California wildlife officials press pause on Dungeness crab season. They hope the delay will help protect another California animal species: humpback whales.
Every year, humpback whales migrate north. They come from Mexico’s Baja California peninsula to birth their calves. In spring, summer, and fall, the humpbacks feed on anchovies, sardines, and krill off the California coast. Then they head back south of the border for winter.
This year, the whales once again seem to be noshing longer in California before returning to Mexico.
California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife officials announced they’ll delay commercial crabbing season until at least December 1. Officials will reassess the situation on or before November 17. Last year, Dungeness crabbers had to wait until December 31 to capture the tasty crustaceans.
The commercial crab industry is big business in California. The shellfish is especially popular during the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The halt means loss of work and income for people who depend on harvesting crabs.
Crabbing in California traditionally begins in mid-November for waters between the Mendocino county line and the border with Mexico.
“Large [numbers] of humpback whales continue to forage between Bodega Bay and Monterey,” says Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Allowing the use of crab traps would increase the risk of an entanglement in those fishing zones.”
Humpback whales can get caught in the vertical ropes connected to heavy industrial traps. Those trap and buoy lines are meant for crustaceans like crabs and lobsters, not whales.
Trap entanglement can leave whales injured or starved. Whales have been known to drag the traps around for months. Some become so exhausted that they drown.
Smaller-scale recreational, or sport, crab season opens on November 4. But even the non-professional crabbers won’t be allowed to use traps to catch Dungeness crabs in some areas. They may use other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares.
Protecting both the livelihoods of humans and the well-being of animals takes wisdom—something only the Creator can give.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. — James 1:5
