Large-Scale Project of Pop-Up Gear Proves Successful for California Dungeness Crab Fishery and Whales

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Full-scale testing of pop-up fishing gear has concluded in California’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery and the results show that the technology is highly reliable, affordable, and safe for whales and other marine life.

Twelve fishermen tested pop-up gear developed by Sub Sea Sonics and Guardian Ropeless under normal spring fishing conditions and successfully landed over 217,000 lbs of crab worth an estimated $1.4 million, at a time when the fishery would normally be closed to protect whales from entanglement. The pop-up gear worked with almost 100 percent reliability and dramatically reduced the risk of gear loss.

Following is a statement from Francine Kershaw, a senior scientist at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“Pop-up fishing gear represents a win for whales and a win for fishers. The successful testing results provide definitive evidence that the Sub Sea Sonics and Guardian Ropeless pop-up system is ready for commercial use in the California Dungeness crab spring fishery next season. By honoring its promise to authorize pop-up gear for commercial crabbers starting next spring, the state of California will lead the nation in the movement towards whale-safe seafood.”

For background information, please see Francine’s blog here: California Leads the Nation on Ropeless Gear Regulations

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature.

NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).