Dungeness Crab: "Bad Harvest, Low Demand Threaten Pacific Fishermen"

"This season's California catch is expected to fall below the 8 million pounds caught last year, which was down from 25 million pounds four years ago, according to the state Department of Fish and Game"

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2008/12/28/us/AP-Struggling-Fishermen.html

great time for the preservationists to gutpunch the fishing industry

I saw the news report from SF about the low crab harvest.  It's cyclical and on the natural decline after peaking 4 years ago.  Circle of life.

I keep a small skiff out of Pillar Point.  I primarily fish with my two small sons so we don't push out far.  This year we pulled a ratio fo 1 dungy to 4 red crab to usually setting in about 30 to 50 FOW south-east of the breakwater.   I did release about 25+ undersized dungies so I feel good about next year.  Like the last guy said its the 'circle of life.' 

P.S.  I got my biggest dungy this year baited with anchovies and stale chicken McNuggets!