Scientists say whales close to the Bay Area are staying longer to feed than in the past, which impacts the Dungeness crab season.But a modified way of harvesting crab in the Bay Area could help address the growing problem of entangled whales. If"pop-up" crab pots get full approval in California, they'll significantly extend the Dungeness commercial season by next year.Oceanographer Bart Chadwick is testing the device that could revive the struggling industry.
"Without the pop-up, they are opening the fishery later in the calendar year, and then closing it earlier," said Catherine Kilduff. NOAA Fisheries has responded to an increasing number of large whale entanglements. In 2018, the agency's West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network and Large Whale Entanglement Response Program confirmed a total of 46 whales entangled off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington.
"The old-timer guys who do this are not really receptive to change. They don't think it's possible," said crab fisherman Brand Little.
Entertainment Entertainment Latest News, Entertainment Entertainment Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: mercnews - 🏆 88. / 68 Read more »