Commercial crab fishing starts today after 3-week delay, other delay imminent

EUREKA, Calif. (KIEM)-The commercial crab fishing season starts today after about a 3-week delay – however – crab fishermen will most likely have to wait a bit longer.

“The season according to the department, we start on December first,” said the Captain Nick Colazas of the fishing vessel Ashlyn-D.

“What we’re dealing with this year, the quality of the crab is great there’s nothing wrong with them, the domoic acid issue, is a non-issue this year, which is great, as well,” he said.

Colazas says, whales are the main reason for this year’s hold up.

According to the California Department of Fish And Wildlife, fears surrounding entanglements in crab gear and the size of small catch, prompted the delay. 

The government agency says, lines used to tie crab pots to the surface have decreased, as more whales move south.   

“There were whales in the area, we have been working with the department the best of our ability, to eliminate interaction with our gear, and the whales, ” he said.

Colazas says, according to CDFW and the federal government, the whales are no longer around – now- a new obstacle, commercial fishermen wait on price negotiation, which could take a while.     

“It definitely affects, everyone, I mean I think it affects us as much as the truck drivers that drive the crabs from the plant, or from the other plant to the cooking plants,” said Colazas.

In the mean-time – he is taking advantage of his forced time off.

“We’ve got a little bit of time, it’s probably going to be after the holidays I’d imagine, that’s great I’ll be able to there and open presents with my kid,” he said.

The CDFW’S director has the authority to delay the season – but no later than January 15, which is what happened these past couple seasons.