If Dungeness crab has traditionally been the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table, you’ve probably noticed that it’s gotten harder to find locally caught crab for the holidays.
That’s no accident – for the last six years, crab season has been shortened to protect whales that can get entangled in crab fishing gear. Fishermen have also been subject to restrictions on how many traps they can use. Combined with fewer crabs this season and California’s struggling salmon fishery, which has shut down for the past two years due to past drought conditions and water management practices, many commercial fishermen don’t have enough to catch.
What does this mean for the future of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery on the Coastside? Can whale conservation efforts and crab fishing coexist? According to Ryan Bartling, a senior environmental scientist and manager of the state’s Whale Safe Fisheries program, “that’s the million-dollar question.” Kali Shiloh explores that question in a deep-dive feature for this week’s newsletter.
Feeling crabby,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Here are the best spots to dine at on Valentine’s Day, according to Peninsula restaurateurs and chefs
If the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, then we have the love potion for you. We asked 10 local restaurateurs and chefs which Peninsula restaurants they’d take their loved ones to for Valentine’s Day and which dishes they’d be sure to order.
Fireside Books and More opens in downtown Redwood City
Owners and Redwood City residents Andrew Johnson and Taylor Kubota said they hope Fireside will become a part of their hometown’s fabric.
The $50 million question: Can California’s Dungeness crab fishery coexist with whale conservation efforts?
Generations of fishermen have fueled a vibrant Coastside community, but for an increasing number of fishermen, passion isn’t paying.
Congrats to Agnes W., who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s San Bruno Mountain State & County Park!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a prize from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
The Coffis Brothers: Feb. 7 The California roots and rock band, led by siblings who grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, comes to Club Fox.
YANovCon 2025: Feb. 8 Meet notable novelists at workshops, panels and book signings at this celebration of YA literature. This year’s theme is “Coming of Age in a Digital World.”
Winter’s Tavern Benefit Concert: Feb. 8 The Pacifica bar hosts a benefit concert for the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association.
Friends of the Library Book Sale: Feb. 8-9 Find bargains on gently used books for adults and kids, CDs, DVDs and more, with funds going to support Mountain View Library programs.
Flying Football Fun Fest: Feb. 9 Hiller Aviation Museum hosts a football-themed day of activities on Super Bowl Sunday with programmable robots, football-inspired training parachutes and a helicopter drop with hundreds of foam footballs.
Write a Love Poem at Lunchtime: Feb. 14 Poetry Los Altos hosts a lunchtime love poem event for Valentine’s Day.
Apparel Swap Party: Feb. 16 Palo Alto Art Center hosts a free clothing, shoes and accessories swap.
Plan Ahead
James Fadiman and Jordan Gruber: Feb. 18 James Fadiman, the “Father of Microdosing,” and co-author Jordan Gruber discuss their book “Microdosing for Health, Healing and Enhanced Performance” with journalist Angie Coiro.
The World at Night, From Alborz to the Rockies: Feb. 21 National Geographic photographer Babak Tafreshi shares the wonders of the natural night environment and the impact of light pollution.
Discover the Flyway Trail: Feb. 22 Take an easy 2-mile guided walk along the new Flyway Trail and learn about different habitats and restoration efforts while watching birds.
Palo Alto Find-Your-Way 5K & 10K: Feb. 22 Use a custom map to make your way through Palo Alto neighborhoods on a 5K or 10K challenge, answering questions at each checkpoint.
Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene: Feb. 26-Aug. 3 A new photography exhibition explores the complex relationships between humanity, industry and the planet, arranged around the themes “Reconfiguring Nature,” “Toxic Sublime,” “Inhumane Geographies” and “Envisioning Tomorrow.”
The Prom: Feb. 28-March 16 Foothill Music Theatre presents the musical comedy about a teen who just wants to take her girlfriend to prom, the narrow-minded PTA trying to stop her and a crew of egocentric Broadway folks who take it upon themselves to get involved.
Soil Biology 101: March 1: Learn about best natural garden practices for healthy soil at this free workshop.
San Francisco Salsa Festival: March 28-30 Salsa fans unite for a weekend of music, competition, performances and dance workshops.
Meet the couples behind 3 vibrant Peninsula businesses
These duos are partners in business and life. Here’s how they balance work and make time for each other.
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Redwood City attorney sues ‘First Amendment auditors’ after Menlo Park disputeApril 2, 2026 11:31 am
