The start of Dungeness crab season brings economic relief to fishermen who have faced challenges due to the closure of the salmon season.
Sunday marks the start of Dungeness crab season , offering fishermen a chance to earn income by selling directly to customers from their boats. Dozens of people gathered at Fisherman's Wharf near Pier 45 early Sunday morning to purchase whole, uncooked crabs from Matt Juanes' vessel. His crew spent the night at sea and returned with four containers full of crab. Juanes expressed gratitude for the public's support, noting that fishermen have been eagerly awaiting this opportunity.
He's selling about two pounds of crabs for $10 a pound and offering a free pound for every 10 purchased. Juanes highlighted the significance of this season for fishermen, as the salmon season has been closed for the past two years, limiting their income sources.Crab season, historically spanning from November to June, allowing families to enjoy crab during Thanksgiving, has been shifted to January and now lasts until March or April. This change stems from concerns raised by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding whales becoming entangled in crab traps. The department attributes the longer whale presence to a healthier ecosystem with abundant food sources.However, this extended presence poses challenges for fishermen. Gabe Mikulich, the Fisherman's Wharf harbormaster, acknowledged the difficulties faced by local fishermen who have been largely inactive throughout the year. Mikulich emphasized the importance of this crab season for them to finally generate income.Fisherman's Wharf has implemented a new 280-foot float to facilitate safe and accessible crab purchases directly from the boats. This off-the-boat sales program, operating for two years, has proven to be highly successful. Maria Santos, a customer from Suisun City, shared her excitement, stating that this is the best time of the year, surpassing even Christmas. For many, obtaining fresh crab is a cherished tradition
CRAB SEASON FISHERMEN ECONOMY WHALES TRADITION
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