Largest and Most Successful Trial of Pop-Up Fishing Gear in California’s Dungeness Crab Fishery Shows Gear is Profitable and Saves Whales
California should be a global leader by authorizing ropeless fishing gear
Press Release Date: August 29, 2024
Location: MONTEREY, CALIF.
Contact:
Ashley Blacow | email: ablacow@oceana.org | tel: 1.831.643.9220
The largest and most successful trial of pop-up fishing gear on the U.S. West Coast proved profitable for fishermen and safe for whales, according to newly released results. The pop-up fishing gear (also called “ropeless” or “on-demand”) tested by 19 commercial California Dungeness crab fishermen brought in $1.6M of crab in spring 2024. At the same time the waters off central California were closed to conventional crab gear to prevent whale entanglements.
Dr. Geoff Shester, Oceana’s California campaign director and senior scientist, and a member of the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group, issued the following statement in response:
“Oceana commends the fishermen and the gear manufacturers who participated in this overwhelmingly successful trial of pop-up fishing gear for their commitment to the sustainability of their fishery and the safety of whales. The California Dungeness crab fishery and whales are both in a state of crisis due to wildlife entanglements in fishing gear. Pop-up fishing gear is a gateway to keeping fishermen on the water in the spring when waters are closed to conventional crabbing gear. These results prove this gear is successful, profitable, enforceable, whale-safe, and ready to restore a vibrant spring crab fishery. We applaud the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish and Game Commission, and Ocean Protection Council for supporting the successful testing. California fishery managers should move swiftly to authorize pop-up gear for use by all commercial crabbers in the spring.”
For more details about the pop-up fishing gear trials please see this statement from the gear manufacturers (Sub Sea Sonics and Guardian Ropeless Systems) and fishermen.
An infographic highlighting the key results of the ropeless trial can be accessed here.
To learn more about Oceana’s campaign for whale safe oceans please visit www.oceana.org/WhaleSafeOceans
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 300 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.
