In a dire warning for California fishing industry according to study the state’s most valuable marine species are on the brink of collapse due to climate change. Rising ocean temperatures, acidification and habitat loss threaten Dungeness crab, Pacific herring and red abalone, endangering fisheries worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The study conducted by UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis, found that several key species could face severe declines by 2100, with some already in crisis:
- Dungeness crab – A $45 million industry at risk as warming waters disrupt their lifecycle.
- Red abalone – Once a $44 million recreational fishery, it has been shut down since 2018 due to ocean heatwaves.
- Pacific herring – Stocks in San Francisco Bay have collapsed by 75%, pushing fishers out of business.
- Pink shrimp and Pismo clam – Facing extreme vulnerability to acidification and habitat shifts.
Vanishing Fish Sinking Livelihoods
As waters heat up, entire fisheries are on the move. Market squid, which generates $43.9 million annually, may abandon California for Oregon and Washington, while the iconic Pacific bonito could expand its range, creating new but uncertain fishing opportunities. Spiny lobster, a $10.7 million industry, is also under threat.
Fight to Save a Multi-Billion-Dollar Industry
With California’s fisheries at a crossroads, scientists warn that without urgent action, thousands of jobs and local economies will crumble. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now under pressure to implement climate-smart policies, including Real-time species monitoring to track population shifts & Flexible harvest rules to adapt to changing conditions. Collaboration with fishers and scientists to ensure long-term sustainability.
With climate change accelerating, experts say the choices made today could determine the fate of California’s seafood industry for generations to come. Will policymakers act in time, or will the state’s once-thriving fisheries become a relic of the past?