March 4, 2016 — The loss of this year’s crab season has cost the industry more than $100 million and has driven many of the captains and crews to the brink of financial insolvency. On Friday, three Bay Area members of Congress announced their pushing for emergency relief for these farmers of the sea.
Peninsula Congresswoman Jackie Speier and North Bay Congressman Jared Huffman announced they have proposed that Congress pass the Crab Disaster Emergency Assistance Act. It’s a direct response to the massive losses suffered by California crabbers and crew due to toxic algae that killed their season.
“This bill would provide $138 million to crab fishermen along our coast to help them through this horrific season,” says Representative Jackie Speier, (D) San Mateo.