Unused Crab Fishing Pots

Gallery: POP PhotosPosted March 7, 20161,742 views5 comments

...sit at Moss Landing, CA harbor.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife decided to keep the commercial Dungeness season closed until all or part of the coast is clear of the deadly toxin, domoic acid - a dangerous neurotoxin than can cause seizures or even death - has so far delayed the season for over three months. The California Department of Health announced last week that recreational fishing for Dungeness crabs was permitted south of Point Reyes. But they advised that diners should remove the guts and cook the crabs by steaming or boiling them and then discard the water used.

Dungeness crab fishing is a $60 million industry in California. Commercial fishermen make the bulk of their profits between November and January. This year, the state never opened the fishery in November, and that $60 million figure has sunk to almost nothing; Federal disaster funds could provide relief.

In the background is the Moss Landing Power Plant, a natural gas powered electricity generation plant located in Moss Landing, at the midpoint of Monterey Bay. The plant's large 500' stacks are landmarks, visible throughout the Monterey Bay Area. In 2013, the plant could produce 2484 MW.

Nikon D600, 24-120 lens @ 24mm, f11 @ 1/60, 100 ISO, handheld

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on March 8, 2016 at 5:17 PM

With those restrictions still in place, I will pass on eating the Dungeness. Seems to me they are either safe or they aren't, not somewhere in the middle. But what do I know?

Your image has a strange mix of elements with the power plant off in the distance. Cool colors too.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Sandra M. Apel on March 10, 2016 at 11:44 AM

Thanks for enlightening me about the Dungeness crab industry in CA. I found the bright colors in the image in contrast to the dire situation of the fishermen. Thanks for posting.

Registered on October 15, 2013, 20 Posts, 171 Comments

Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on March 10, 2016 at 3:55 PM

Thank you Harley and Sandra for your comments. I included the power plant stacks in the background because both the power plant and fishing industry are the most prominent aspects of the Moss Landing harbor area; hard to see one without the other.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on March 10, 2016 at 5:02 PM

I like this, Reno. Old industry vs. new. The color is excellent, and the power plant certainly adds a different dimension.

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on March 13, 2016 at 12:56 PM

I like the bright colors and the sky is dynamic and adds a lot to the image. I am on the fence about the two different elements int he image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments