If you didn’t know, states can make official slugs, seashells and crustaceans. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation to ensure California has made the list.
Last month, Newsom signed three bills to establish new state symbols including the banana slug as state slug, the black abalone as state seashell and the Dungeness crab as state crustacean.
State symbols are often created to give citizens a sense of state pride, honor history and allow a bill that is non-controversial to unify citizens. Regardless of the legislative impact of state symbols, Californians can now welcome the new additions.
Dungeness crab
Dungeness crabs are the most abundant crab in California and are often served in West Coast dishes.
Assembly Bill 1797 was introduced by Assemblyman Jim Wood to protect the crab’s large role in the California fishing industry.
Fishing for Dungeness crabs, both commercially and recreationally, is very popular in Northern and Southern California. Fishing for crabs, often called crabbing, has its own season and regulations that are monitored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Many Bay Area restaurants feature the Dungeness crab on their menu including PPQ Dungeness Island in San Francisco, King’s Fish House in San Jose and Old Fisherman’s Grotto in Monterey.
Chico is home to Big Hot Crab which also serves Dungeness crab in clusters. Chico State students who wish to greet the new state symbol can stop by.
Fun fact: Dungeness crabs have been found in ocean depths as far as 750 ft.
Banana slug
Banana slugs are aptly named after the fruit that best matches their funky yellow coloring and unique shape.
AB 1850 was introduced by Assemblyman Gail Pellerin to support banana slugs by encouraging research and education.
Unlike the Dungeness crab, the banana slug is not an ingestible seafood.
Banana slugs contribute to the growth of coastal redwoods by eating plants that compete with their survival needs. They serve as an important balance to the ecosystem of coastal California.
Fun fact: Banana slugs are one of the slowest creatures on earth moving at a maximum speed of six and a half inches per minute.
Black abalone
The Black abalone is well known for its gorgeous shell that has historically been used to create ceremonial clothing and jewelry by Native American tribes in California.
It also served as a source of food for many prior to the creature becoming a federally-recognized endangered species in 2009. Overfishing and withering foot syndrome, a quick-spreading disease affecting the health of the abalone population, caused a population decline in 1986.
AB 2504 was introduced by Assemblywoman Diane Dixon to bring attention to the endangered species and the significance it holds for many Native Americans across California.
Fun fact: Black abalone can live up to 30 years.
Jessica Miller can be reached at [email protected].
