Moss Landing Harbor

Nearly a decade ago, a massive blob of warm water formed off the U.S. West Coast, disrupting the ocean ecosystem. Among “the blob’s” many impacts, the region’s highly profitable crab fishery was forever changed. Scientists say extreme marine heatwaves will become more common due to climate change, leaving many in fishing communities, like those in the Monterey Bay region, struggling to adapt to the new uncertainty.

The commercial crab fishing season is being cut nearly in half this year. It ends statewide one week from today. The goal is to prevent whale and sea…