12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY december 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com There will be no California crab for Christmas again this year. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the Dungeness crab fishery—one of California’s most valuable fisheries—has faced delays, dealing yet another major blow to local commercial crab fishers. The fishery will remain closed at least through the end of 2024. “There’s really no other fisheries we have access to, so we just have to wait,” says Brand Little, a fisherman whose main catches through the year include salmon, shrimp, black cod and crab. But on Dec. 11, the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously approved the expansion of an experimental fishing permit, which doubles the number of fishers under the permit from 20 to 40, allowing them to fish for crab using Sub Sea Sonics ropeless gear this spring. The commissioners also increased the number of crab traps allowed per line from 10 to 50, and extended the interval time—the period fishers have to remove and replace their gear—from 96 hours to seven days. “This is as good as it gets,” says Geoff Shester, Oceana’s California campaign director and senior scientist. Ropeless crab traps work by allowing fishers to release a lid with buoys using a bluetooth signal before floating to the surface with a rope attached to the trap. While the system isn’t perfect and tends to be slower, Little says, “It works, and it will work for a spring fishery.” The Dungeness crab season has been shortened at the start and end of the season due to the increased presence of whales feeding in local waters and potential for entanglements. While ropeless traps have been around for some time, they were first used in the crab fishery commercially in California waters under an experimental fishing permit in the spring of 2024. The use of the fishing gear thus far has shown to be a success. The largest trial of pop-up fishing gear involved 19 commercial Dungeness crab fishers who brought in 229,000 pounds of crab, valued at $1.5 million. “I want to give them as much opportunity to succeed,” Commissioner Darius Anderson said during the Dec. 11 meeting. The experimental permit currently allows for use of Sub Sea Sonics’ ropeless trap, but other manufacturers are steadily entering the market. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation has established a gear lab where fishers can check out ropeless gear in exchange for reporting back data. “It may not be a one size fits all,” says Greg Wells of NMSF. “That’s why we’re creating this library of options.” be mindful of the experience of the disaster victims and to help them navigate a very complex process,” Scanlon says. “That is also very much intended to ensure that the people who are participating in the program are getting what they need, and that the people who are not supposed to be in the program are identified and directed to a different program that might be more appropriate.” Some funding was earmarked for individuals regardless of immigration status, helping those who did not qualify for funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Nonprofits active in the community—Catholic Charities and Community Bridges—are tasked with distributing $6 million in funds. They have so far distributed $1.1 million, according to the county progress report. For the first phase, covering food spoilage, those groups approved 688 of 757 applications and distributed $464,600. Because unspent funds remain, the county will make a second round of phase-one funds available for those who qualified the first time. The second phase is still ongoing and focuses on housing assistance, personal property and vehicle repair. So far, 384 cases from 84 households have been approved and $633,975 distributed. In a community that prefers cash over credit cards and where many don’t have a bank account, proving losses has been a challenge, but Ray Cancino, CEO of Community Bridges, says they have adapted to what is practical. “It’s not just receipts, it’s also photos. People have been creative,” Cancino says, noting Pajaronians have used not just photos but also text messages and videos to prove losses. The Monterey County Workforce Development Board has so far distributed $1.6 million out of $4 million earmarked for small businesses. For the first phase, losses and damages, the workforce board has approved 34 out of 89 applications and distributed $1.2 million. For the second phase, it has distributed $258,859 to 29 out of 58 applications; $517,717 was approved and will be disbursed once projects are completed. Maria Colin Paniagua, owner of the Mexican restaurant Mi Rancho, says she hasn’t received any funds. “Two years have passed, and nothing,” she says. County projects—like road, park and library improvements—have yet to break ground, but are in development. The library repairs are set to begin in January. Gear Drop Some good news for crabbers (and crab lovers) comes amid season delays. By Katie Rodriguez news Ring in ’25 First Night Monterey seeks volunteers to assist with various tasks during the nine-hour New Year’s Eve celebration. The 32nd annual event features music, art and more for the countdown to 2025. Volunteer orientations scheduled for 3pm Saturday, Dec. 21 and 3pm Saturday, Dec. 28. Archer Park Community Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. 373-4778, firstnightmonterey.org. Support the Future Seaside’s Youth Leadership Academy hosts its third annual Youth Summit. The event, which includes food, entertainment and raffle giveaways, celebrates the city’s youth leaders. 5-8pm Saturday, Dec. 21. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Free. ci.seaside.ca.us. Civic Duty The City of Marina is accepting applications to fill seats on three commissions: Public Works, Recreation and Cultural Services, and Planning. It is also recruiting for the Tree Committee and Transportation Agency for Monterey County Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory Committee. Application deadline is 5pm Friday, Dec. 27. Free. 884-1278, cityofmarina. org. Give to Gives! Monterey County Gives! invites you to join in supporting the missions of 206 local nonprofits. Read about their Big Ideas and donate online. Ends at midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 31. To donate by check to CFMC, write nonprofit names in the memo line and mail to: CFMC, 2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA, 93940. 375-9712, mcgives@cfmco.org, montereycountygives.com. Trash Transformation The City of Salinas has installed trash corrals along the East Alisal Street commercial corridor, and is seeking the submission of professional photography/art showcasing the Alisal community, its history and culture that will be installed on the new corrals. Submission deadline is 5pm Friday, Jan. 10. Free. 758-7381, bit.ly/41BW6Uj. Council Search The City of Pacific Grove seeks applicants interested in filling a vacant city council seat. Represent your community for a partial term, with a two-year commitment. Applications are due at 5pm Friday, Jan. 3. 648-3181, cityofpacificgrove. org. Greg Wells of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation shares how the Sub Sea Sonics ropeless crab gear works using bluetooth technology at its gear lab in Santa Cruz. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “It works, and it will work for a spring fishery.” Katie Rodriguez tape, continued from page 10
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