Lyle Ashouwak (left) and Anthony Abell (right) drop crab pots off the Fishing Vessel Insatiable. As the oceans’ temperatures rise, fishermen everywhere are forced to adapt to harvesting different species. Garrett Kavanaugh, captain of the Fishing Vessel Insatiable out of the port of Kodiak Island, has made large investments in equipment, fuel and labor, betting on Dungeness crabs as the future of his Alaskan fishing business.
San Francisco, California – California crab fishermen are experimenting with a new method of fishing that could help them stay on the water longer while ensuring the protection of whales. This new approach, known as pop-up gear, has been part of a state pilot program since 2023 and is expected to be fully authorized by 2026 for spring Dungeness crab fishing.
The innovative gear uses a remote-operated device to pull up crab pots from the ocean floor, allowing the pots to be strung together with horizontal lines rather than vertical ones. This eliminates the entanglement risk for migrating whales, many of which are endangered humpback whales. The traditional method, which uses vertical lines between crab pots and floating buoys, has caused an increase in whale entanglements in recent years.
The issue began over a decade ago during a marine heat wave, which caused whales to seek food sources closer to the coast. As a result, state regulators shut down Dungeness crab fishing during times when whales were known to be in the area. These closures dramatically shortened the fishing season, putting financial strain on crabbers. The new pop-up gear method, while more expensive, has proven to be an effective solution, allowing fishermen to continue working while minimizing harm to marine life.
However, the transition has not been seamless. The pop-up devices can cost around $1,000 each, and fishermen must restring their pots after each fishing season. Furthermore, since the gear is not visible on the surface, there’s a need for a unified tracking system to monitor the equipment.
Despite the challenges, many fishermen are hopeful. “It allows them to fish in places they wouldn’t otherwise,” said Bart Chadwick, a retired environmental worker who helped adapt the technology for fishing. “It also reduces gear losses.”
Although the gear is only being considered for the smaller spring season starting in April, experts like Geoff Shester of Oceana are optimistic about its potential. “It’s like electric cars or digital cameras—there’s resistance at first, but over time, it could become more mainstream.”
For crabbers just trying to scrape by on the coast, the new gear could provide a lifeline. With a shortened fishing season, the ability to fish longer would allow them to pay their bills and get back to work. It’s much better than sitting at the dock.
