Ryan Mense

Gilroy man penalized for abandoning hundreds of Dungeness crab traps

Ryan Mense

8 hours ago

(KRON) — A Gilroy man who wildlife officials said abandoned more than 100 Dungeness crab traps off the coast of Del Norte County will have his commercial fishing license suspended for two years, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Wednesday.

CDFW said 66-year-old Darryl Donovan will also have his Dungeness crab vessel permits suspended for four years after disciplinary actions were taken up by the California Fish and Game Commission at its Aug. 12-13 meeting.https://mmamp.kron4.com/avi/?key=n7ottz88#amp=1

State wildlife officers began their investigation after the 2023-24 Dungeness crab fishing season when a large number of abandoned traps were located off the Klamath River. More than 107 of the abandoned crab traps belonged to Donovan, CDFW said.

“Donovan’s violations included abandoning at least 107 Dungeness crab traps, failure to service traps in the required 96 hours, failure to submit mandatory fishing reports and fishing with untagged and improperly marked buoys,” officials stated.

Removing traps at the end of each season is “essential,” CDFW said. “Those who abandon traps not only endanger marine mammals and other wildlife that can become trapped or entangled in derelict gear, but they can also cause shortened fishing seasons for law-abiding fishers who depend on those opportunities for their livelihood.”

8 hours ago

Gilroy man penalized for abandoning hundreds of Dungeness crab traps | KRON4