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Big Dungeness Haul Reignites Trap Limit Debate In California

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Dungeness crab fishermen are hauling in pot after pot of writhing crustaceans in a rush to fill up boats and get the valuable catch to shore before the market floods and prices fall.

While the catch is expected to reach record-levels this year, not all fishermen are rejoicing.

Crabbers in and around San Francisco have seen an influx in recent years of large boats from Oregon and Washington that can carry hundreds of crab pots. That means less money in their wallets.

This has led to two bills introduced in the California Legislature—both vetoed by the governor—seeking to limit the number of traps a boat can sink.

Zeke Grader, director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, says his group will pursue a new bill in hopes incoming Gov. Jerry Brown will sign it.

(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

 

 

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