Whales off the California coast have been getting tangled up, injured and killed in commercial crab gear and other fishery traps for far too long.
That’s because the thousands of crab pots and other traps dropped in our ocean each year are connected to surface buoys by thick ropes. Migrating whales become entangled in those ropes, which cinch their flippers, mouths or tails as they drag these heavy traps, causing injuries or death by drowning.
It’s time for California’s fishing operations to stop using antiquated equipment and convert to innovative gear that doesn’t use these deadly ropes. State lawmakers should protect whales by requiring the use of ropeless traps…