Tag Archives: Toxic algae blooms
California State legislators to meet in Eureka to discuss future of crab, salmon fisheries
With the California crab season opener approaching and a poor salmon season winding down, a California legislative committee is set to meet in Eureka on Friday to discuss what the future holds for two of the North Coast’s most important fisheries. The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture hearing is set to touch upon everything from whale entanglements in crab gear and the recent lawsuit filed related to them; the potential for a federal disaster declaration for California’s and Oregon’s 2017 salmon season; and crab fishing rules and recent test results on how toxic algae blooms are affecting crab this year. click here to read the story 09:02
With no relief funds in sight, crab fishermen discuss next steps
After four years of poor crab and salmon fishing, including one of the worst crab seasons in recent memory, local fisherman and Eureka resident Bob Borck decided in November that it was time to move on. After selling his fishing vessel — the Belle J II — of four years in January, Borck is now planning to start work as a contractor. “I couldn’t be married to the boat,” he said Friday. “I’ve got enough family responsibilities on shore that it was too difficult to dedicate it to everything it needed to be.” Borck said he isn’t walking away from the industry completely if the right opportunity presents itself. But he said isn’t pining to return to it either, especially following a “pretty hard financial beating” after toxic algae blooms closed the 2015-16 Dungeness crab season for six months, placing many fishermen into debt. Borck’s story is not unique. Click here to read the story 08:01
The most extensive and harmful toxic algal bloom ever recorded on the West Coast continues
“Right now, I’m fishing out of Monterey,” said Porter McHenry, president of Half Moon Bay Seafood Marketing Association, and a local commercial fisherman. “I’m fishing for anchovies. The buyers are shipping them to big pens in Australia as tuna feed. (The anchovies) can’t go for human consumption.” For the most part, McHenry seemed largely unconcerned with the domoic acid levels along the Coastside, especially because the local fishing activity has naturally slowed for the summer months. “It’s not that bad. You just can’t eat the guts,” he said. Read the rest here 07:53
