Local crabbers ready for season

One of your favorite seafoods could soon be back on the menu; dungeness crab.

Commercial dungeness crab season is set to begin on time on November 15th. This is in stark contrast to last years season, which was delayed for months due to high levels of acid in the water that can affect how safe the delicacy is to fish and eat.

“Last year was kind of a bad nightmare none of us want to re-visit ever again,” says Lori Cook, whose family owns two commercial crabbing vessels.

A large algae bloom caused by last years El Nino weather patterns pushed acid levels in the waters where the crabs live to unsafe levels.

As Cook speaks with us in Morro Bay, she tells us last years delays in season cost many crabbers their livelihoods.

“Many guys lost their boats, their houses, their trucks, it was pretty devastating.”

Cook and other crabbers say they are looking to put last years season behind them, and putting a west coast delicacy back on the menu.

“We’re optimistic this is going to be a good season, and we’ll bring in a healthy, safe produce, and we want people to enjoy it.”

The dungeness sport crabbing season opens November 5.