Commercial fishermen prepare for official start to crab season
Crab fishermen on the central coast prepared Wednesday for the official start of Dungeness crab season, which starts on Saturday, after being delayed for months following the discovery of high levels of domoic acid.
The Santa Cruz Harbor is shoaled, but a few boaters told KION that they planning on launching their boats there on Saturday. Many others have moved their boats down the road to Moss Landing.
“I had pretty much given up that we were even going to go fishing and was on my way to Oregon,” said Tom Hart, a commercial fisherman who was loading his boat up with crab pots on Wednesday.
Hart said he had thrown in the towel on the crab season in California and was heading up North when he got a call that the season was back on and turned around.
“I am really happy to be going to work because most of us are work oriented around here” said Hart.
Hart isn’t the only one who is ready for the season to start.
“We are just very happy that they (the fishermen) get to go out and I am sure they are too,” said Moss Landing Harbormaster, Linda G. McIntyre.
Along with McIntyre’s joy is sympathy after many fishermen have lost thousands of dollars.
“It has been very devastating for these fisherman. They lost all of the bulk of their revenue,” said McIntyre.
The delay has led to a financial hit that has caused frustration for fishermen like Hart.
“This was a really a good demonstration of how unprepared our state was to handle this,” said Hart. “Whereas in Oregon and Washington they got there people back on the water quicker,” added Hart.
The few boats that are planning on launching from the Santa Cruz Harbor tell KION that they are trying to stay optimistic.
“Hope for the best and hope the buyers want them. I hope the public understands that the crabs are safe to eat and I hope the people receive them well,” said Kheven Mellegers, a Santa Cruz commercial fisherman.
In an effort to speed up the sand remove from the harbor, the dredging crews have extended their hours. They will now be working from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
