Commercial Crab season comes to early end in local waters

EUREKA (KIEM)- After a late start, the commercial crab season comes to an early end Monday night here on the North Coast and across the rest of the state.

The decision to end the season three months early was made to protect whales, sea turtles and other marine life from fishing gear. A settlement was reached last month between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Center for Biological Diversity and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association.

The season officially closes at 11:59pm Monday. All commercial crabbing gear must be removed from the water by this time.

Local crabber Travis Michel has two boats and told Redwood News the season accounts for 85 to 90 percent of his income and now five of his employees are out of work.