CDFW Continues Recreational Fishery Trap Restriction and Delays the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Due to Meat Quality and Whale Entanglement Risk  

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is continuing the temporary recreational crab trap restriction from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Lopez Point (Fishing Zones 3 and 4) due to presence of humpback whales and the potential for entanglement from trap gear. Recreational take of Dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, is not affected by the temporary trap restriction in these areas. In addition, pursuant to Fish and Game Code 5523, CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham continued the delay for the recreational opener in the northern portion of Fishing Zone 1 (from the CA/OR border to the southern boundary of the Reading Rock State Marine Reserve) due to unhealthy levels of domoic acid. The Fleet Advisory issued for all Fishing Zones (1-6) for the recreational fishery remains in effect. 

Pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 8676.2, CDFW Director Bonham delayed the northern California commercial Dungeness crab season for Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties (Fishing Zones 1 and 2), which had been scheduled to open on Dec. 1, 2024. Crab meat quality tests could not be conducted due to high domoic acid concentrations from crab collected at northern port locations requiring the fishery delay. Additionally, a high abundance of humpback and blue whales was observed creating elevated entanglement risk in these Fishing Zones. 

CDFW is continuing the Commercial Dungeness crab fishery delay in Fishing Zones 3-6 due to the presence of humpback whales and risk of entanglement. This delay is necessary due to the high number of entanglements that have occurred this year, four of which involved the commercial fishery. The delay will allow whales to continue their migration to winter breeding grounds and away from the fishing grounds, thereby reducing entanglement risk.  

Given the high abundance of whales and entanglements that have occurred this year, CDFW will assess entanglement risk again in early December. It is expected that the next risk assessment will take place on or before Dec. 5, 2024, at which time Director Bonham will re-evaluate the temporary recreational crab trap restrictions and statewide commercial fishery delay. That risk assessment is expected to inform the potential for a statewide commercial fishery opener and lifting of the recreational trap restriction on or around December 15, 2024. 

For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page or more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit CDFW’s crab page.