The U.S. states of Oregon and California have delayed the start of their commercial Dungeness crab seasons due to concerns over the presence of humpback whales and high domoic acid concentrations.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) had previously delayed the start of the commercial season for fishing zones 3, 4, 5, and 6 – which stretch from the state’s Mexican border north to Gualala, California. State officials determined to push back the start of the season from 15 November after detecting a large number of humpback whales in the area. Officials are required by state law to implement protective measures when there is a high risk of humpback whale entanglement.
Following another assessment on 21 November, California has opted to continue the season delay for zones 3 through 6, citing the continued presence of humpback whales. CDFW also chose to delay the start of the season in zones 1 and 2, which were set to open 1 December.
The state has detected a high abundance of both blue and humpback whales in those areas, creating elevated risk of entanglement. CDFW has also not been able to conduct crabmeat quality assessments due to high concentrations of domoic acid – a potent neurotoxin that can accumulate in shellfish – in zones 1 and 2.
CDFW is expected to complete its next entanglement risk assessment on or before 5 December. If conditions have sufficiently improved, the commercial season could open 15 December.
NGO Oceana praised CDFW for delaying the season while suggesting that more must be done to protect whales from entanglement.
“We support the decision by CDFW to delay the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery to protect whales currently feeding off California’s coast,” Oceana California Campaign Director Geoff Shester said in a statement. “The number of whales recently entangled in fishing gear is three times higher than what is allowed under the statewide Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program.”
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) also delayed the launch of the state’s ocean commercial Dungeness crab season, which was set to open 1 December. According to the department, the season needed to be delayed due to low meat yield in some areas as well as high levels of domoic acid in the southern part of the state.
“Oregon’s ocean commercial Dungeness crab season can be delayed so consumers get a high-quality product and crabs are not wasted,” ODFW said in a release.
The state’s new start date for the season is 16 December, assuming conditions improve.
Dungeness crab fisheries along the U.S. West Coast have been regularly impacted by delays and early closures due to the presence of humpback whales and other issues. California’s 2024 season was delayed from November 2023 to January 2024, with multiple zones closed early in April 2024 to protect humpback whales. Oregon’s 2023-2024 season faced delays and was only opened in stages due to low meat yield.
Oceana called for state officials to improve California’s Whale Safe Fisheries program and implement changes that could lower the risk of entanglements.
“The alarming trend of whale entanglements means the current management system is not working. What we need is stronger pre-emptive action,” Shester said. “Instead, CDFW is proposing to weaken elements of its Whale Safe Fisheries program, and several critical measures are being delayed – including proper gear marking, electronic vessel tracking, and the authorization of pop-up fishing gear. We can and must do better for the whales and the crab fishery.”
