California Delays Dungeness Crab Season to Protect Whales
The commercial Dungeness crab fishing season in the Bay Area has been delayed until at least December 1 to protect migrating whales, as large aggregations of humpback whales continue to forage in the fishing zones. Rising ocean temperatures and shifting whale migration patterns have contributed to increased entanglements. The start date may be subject to change depending on the entanglement risks, with officials set to announce on November 17. Recreational fishing, limited to hoop nets and crab snares, will be allowed starting November 4.