Tag Archives: California Dungeness Crab season
Fishermen are gearing up for the Dungeness crab season to start next week
After months of delays, local fishermen will finally be allowed to fish for Dungeness crab off of the Central Coast. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the season will reopen on Jan. 18; however, fleets will only be allowed to use 50 percent of their traps. Meanwhile, those in the industry say the delays and restrictions are frustrating. “The last five years, we’ve been losing all our holiday markets. That means we have to go out in rougher weather,” said Chris Zajac, a Santa Cruz Dungeness crab fisherman. “We only get a month and a half to fish, whereas we used to get eight months to fish for crab,” Zajac said. Video, >>click to read<< 11:24
Photo’s: Humboldt Crab Fishermen are Finally Out There Catching You Some Deliciousness
After a much-delayed start to this year’s crab season, Humboldt’s crab fisherman fleet is finally on the water with industry insiders predicting commercially caught crustaceans could be on local tables as soon as next week, thank God. Local photographer Matt Filar awoke way too early this morning to head to Trinidad to capture some images of our hopeful crabbers as they headed out to sea to drop pots. >click to view 9 photos<07:36
Price strike drags on for California crab fleet holding out for better price
“We can’t afford to do these operations with the price they’re offering. We go backward,” said Ben Platt, president of the California Coast Crab Association. “That’s why everyone’s holding together, holding strong. We were starting at $3 a pound 10 years ago, and our costs have definitely gone up.” The additional two bits that crabbers are seeking before they’ll be wiling to leave dockside makes an enormous difference when multiplied by thousands of pounds.,, Veteran Bodega Bay crabber Tony Anello, part of a family long tied to the industry. “You’re not going to be able to keep your crew long, because you can’t sustain them. >click to read< 09:01
Crabber’s Emergency Relief Fund
The California Dungeness Crab season has been closed indefinitely by the Fish and Wildlife on the recommendation by the Dept. of Public Health due to a naturally occurring algae bloom. Dungeness crabbers have been hit hard financially as they make the majority of their incomes between Thanksgiving and New Years. This crab season closure is directly following one of the worst salmon seasons on record. Many commercial fishermen and their crews have run through their savings while the boats remain tied up. The expenses still continue. Central Coast Women for Fisheries has set up this site to collect grocery money for those hit hardest by this closure. Yes, it’s that bad. At this time, there are no funds for emergency help from the government. Most commercial fishermen do not qualify for unemployment. Read the rest here, and donate if you can! 11:59
