5. Current Issues Affecting the Port's Fisheries
- Port-at-a-Glance
- Location, History and Economy
- Port Governance and Infrastructure
- Fishing Profile: Commercial and Recreational Fisheries
- Current Issues Affecting the Port’s Fisheries
- Social and Environmental Vulnerability
Social, political, economic and environmental events pose both immediate and ongoing challenges and opportunities for the port’s fisheries, with impacts reverberating throughout and beyond the community.
Whale Entanglements
Beginning in 2014, there was a marked increase in whale entanglements with fishing gear along the entire West Coast. This has primarily involved the Dungeness crab fisheries pot/trap fisheries, though gillnet and spot prawn traps are also implicated (Source). Beginning in 2019, the crab season had delayed starts along the California coast south of Mendocino County to prevent whale entanglements when late season whale migrations have been observed. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has taken several steps through its Whale Safe Fisheries efforts to better understand and mitigate the causes of whale entanglements, such as the Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (RAMP) piloted by the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group and codified in regulation in 2020.
Increasing Ocean Uses
Increasing ocean space use interest and activity, especially new and proposed installation of cables and other bottom infrastructure, ocean renewable (wind) energy development — potential opportunity for the port but a challenge to fishery participants (and others) in terms of access to fishing grounds, navigation, infrastructure, economy, established social and economic relationships and networks, and individual and community social identity.
Tariffs and Trade Wars
Under the Trump Administration (2016-2020), the US imposed or increased tariffs on imported goods to reduce the US trade deficit. The Trump Administration tariffs targeted important trade partners such as China, causing retaliation. In 2018-2019, a mounting trade war between China and the US-led six major ports on the West Coast to draft an open letter to President Trump, requesting he deescalate the trade war because of the impacts it was having on port communities. California is the US’s largest exporter to China of any state and saw a 30% decrease in exports — including steep declines in exports of crab and salmon — to China as a result of the trade war.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including markets and supply chains for many types of seafood-producing businesses closure/limited operation of tourist-serving businesses and restaurants. CPFVs likewise operated on a more limited basis than usual.