A recent whale entanglement off the coast of Monterey, California, has sparked renewed urgency for the state to adopt whale-safe fishing gear.

According to NOAA officials, a humpback whale became entangled in crab traps in October. Rescue efforts led by the Large Whale Entanglement Response Network—a coalition of scientific and nonprofit organizations—spanned six months, hampered by bad weather and the whale's evasive movements, which often made it inaccessible.

In response to the incident, the California Fish and Game Commission has expanded trials of pop-up crabbing gear. This innovative gear, which eliminates fixed vertical lines in the water column, is reported to be safe for whales while remaining profitable for fishermen. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is working to establish regulations to authorize the statewide use of pop-up gear starting in 2026.

However, some advocates are calling for faster action. Ben Grundy, oceans campaigner for the Center for Biological Diversity, stressed the urgency of implementing pop-up gear immediately.

“Even when entanglements aren’t lethal, they can torture animals, leave scars and harm their ability to breed,” Grundy said to Bay City News Service. “The numbers make it crystal clear that the Dungeness crab fishery is entangling far too many whales, and there needs to be urgent action before more animals are maimed or killed. California must authorize the use of pop-up gear immediately, which would be a win-win solution for all.”

White recreational crabbing remains allowed in the Bay Area using hoop nets and crab snares, CDFW officials noted that the use of traditional crab traps is currently restricted.