FOX Weather, SAN FRANCISCO – The State of California recently announced it is temporarily closing critical Dungeness crab fishing zones, during an already shortened season, due to the expected arrival of humpback whales in feeding areas off the Golden State.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the restrictions will run from north of San Francisco to the U.S.-Mexico border and begin April 15.
The Dungeness crab season typically begins in November and runs through June, but due to whale sightings at the beginning of the season, harvesters faced delays in 2022.
Biologists said the whales use waters in the eastern Pacific to feed before migrating during the winter but entanglements with crabbing and fishing gear in the past have forced agencies to take additional measures to protect the species.
“The fleet has done an impressive job helping CDFW manage entanglement risk in the commercial fishery and appreciates the high level of involvement to inform the risk assessment process,” CDFW Director Charlton Bonham said in a statement … READ MORE.
Meanwhile, killer whales launch bloody attack gray whales in stunning video
A whale watch boat off of California spotted 30 orcas attacking two adult gray whales. The attack spanned five hours, but the gray whales were able to escape.
A drone from a whale watch boat caught amazing footage of up to 30 orca whales attacking 2 adult gray whales.
Published April 5, 2023 | KTVU FOX 2, MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. – Usually, when we share videos of wildlife or nature, it doesn’t end in bloodshed, but a stunning video posted online recently shows a bloody mess when killer whales attacked two gray whales.
The video was taken by Evan Brodsky, a photographer with Monterey Bay Whale Watch.
The caption reads: “GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: More from Thursday’s incredible attack with over 30 killer whales on 2 ADULT gray whales. At the end, the badly wounded gray whales escaped to the shallow waters towards the beach, and the Orcas backed down.”
The graphic content warning is warranted. While it is nature running its course, the scene isn’t pretty. The attack, as captured on video, is longer than two and a half minutes. The Chronicle interviewed Brodsky, who captured this rare event with help from a drone. He said his heart was beating out of his chest and that the attack actually lasted more like five hours.
If you’ve been following Monterey Bay Whale Watch’s Instagram page, you’d know that ‘killer whale season’ is just about here … READ MORE.
