MBNMS Blue Minute

Throughout the year, the robust waters of Monterey Bay provide plenty of tasty seafood and fishermen are hard at work to bring you delicious food for your holiday meals.  Typically, in December, the Dungeness crab season is open. Dungeness crab, also referred to as rock crab, is the most abundant crab fished in California. This crab was initially viewed as a 'waste product' in the 1800s but is now the West Coast's most valuable commercial fishery and brings in more than $170 million annually.  Each year, state agencies assess if the opening of the season should be delayed and this year it has been.  The delay allows  for migrating humpback whales to safely navigate along the California coastline without risk of entanglement in crab pots. These types of collaborative initiatives show how fishermen and state agencies can work together to protect our ocean treasures.  The ocean takes care of us, let's return the favor.