8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY april 18-24, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com news The abundance of whales in Central Coast waters, something everyone cheers for, has at the same time presented a challenge: How can we create a crab fishery that can coexist with whales? The last several seasons, which historically have started on Nov. 15 and peaked during the holidays, have been delayed due to the presence of whales and kept crab off tables during a time when the demand is highest. The problem is that whales can get entangled in traditional crab fishing gear, which includes a trap on the seafloor and a rope in the water column that goes up to a buoy on the surface. One potential answer to that challenge is ropeless crab fishing gear, where weighted buoys can be remotely released—via an app on a smartphone—and rise to the surface. Then the pots are pulled up, and there’s no danger to whales. The traditional crab fishing season closed April 8, but this year fishermen have been allowed to apply for permits to keep fishing crab using experimental, ropeless gear, which could be the future for late crab season fishing, and become more essential for local fishermen trying to make ends meet as closures of other fisheries stack up. On April 10, the state announced the salmon fishery, set to open in mid-May, would close for the second consecutive year. The idea is to test the equipment to see if it’s feasible—i.e., whether fishermen who use it can make a profit. Ryan Bartling, an environmental scientist with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, stresses that it won’t make or break the fishery; upwards of 90 percent of landed crab is caught in the first two months of the season, he says. Pop Ups Crab season is over, sort of—new, experimental gear could extend the season until summer. By David Schmalz Salinas City Councilmember Steve McShane brought tomato seedlings to a council meeting on Tuesday, April 9 to give to his colleagues, “to spread goodwill,” he said. Then he announced his resignation, effective May 10. McShane has been on council for 14 years. He won his first election in 2010 in a four-way race, ousting three-time incumbent Janet Barnes. He was reelected three times after that, each time facing only one challenger. The open District 3 seat means it’s the first time in decades that a prospective candidate would not have to challenge an incumbent. Speculations about who will fill McShane’s vacancy have sparked conversations among District 3 residents, some of whom are organizing to demand an election instead of an appointment. David Bigham Jr. is calling on residents to attend a city council meeting on Tuesday, April 23, when council is set to discuss a process for filling the vacancy. “If someone who we’ve elected is leaving early because he feels the council is dysfunctional I don’t want that same group selecting my representative, that doesn’t feel good,” Bigham says. McShane says at least seven people are interested in representing District 3. They include Margaret D’Arrigo, a Hartnell College trustee, and educator Cary Swensen, who ran against McShane in 2022. Special elections may incur additional expense if they aren’t concurrent with another election (the next scheduled election is Nov. 5, 2024). If Salinas holds a stand-alone election, the cost would be between $16-$24 per voter; according to the Monterey County Registrar of Voters, there are 14,543 voters in District 3. That would mean a minimum price tag of $233,000. That’s a sum some may think is worth paying, but others might reconsider. Salinas is facing a $20 million shortfall according to projections for its 2024-2025 fiscal year budget, a number Assistant Finance Director Selina Andrews announced during a meeting of the finance committee on April 9. “I’m very confident that we’re going to be able to balance the budget,” Andrews says. “I don’t see that we’re going to have a need to cut any services at this point.” In recent years, McShane found himself on a 5-2 losing faction on council on some political disagreements. He cited family obligations and “dysfunctional leadership” as the reasons for his resignation. (Family obligations may also lead to him and his family to move out of District 3.) “There has been a lot of internal lack of progress when it comes to significant policies because some of my colleagues suffer from a lack of trust,” McShane says. McShane came under scrutiny last year while serving as a councilmember and as CEO of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Andrew Sandoval raised concerns about conflict of interest, a matter that is currently under investigation by the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Sandoval also requested the District Attorney investigate; the DA is waiting for the FPPC’s investigation to be completed before determining any possible actions. In 2023, the City of Salinas terminated its membership in the chamber, and McShane resigned as CEO. Salinas City Councilmember Steve McShane is resigning effective May 10, with twoand-a-half years left in his term. Musical Chairs Salinas City Council will decide how to fill a vacancy, through election or appointment. By Celia Jiménez The season for Dungeness crab in Monterey Bay historically starts in mid-November, but in recent years has been delayed to avoid potential entanglements with whales. At least seven people are interested in representing District 3. Daniel Dreifuss nic coury
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