Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery to Open Jan. 5 in Central California; Recreational Crab Trap Restrictions Lifting Jan. 2
Northern Commercial Fishery to Remain Closed Until at Least Jan. 15 Due to Crab Quality Testing and Domoic Acid
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will open the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in the Central Management Area (Sonoma/Mendocino County line (38°46.125’ N. latitude) to Point Conception (34°27’ N. latitude)) beginning Jan. 5, 2026, at 12:01 a.m., with pre-soak to begin on Jan. 2, 2026, at 8:01 a.m. This area (Fishing Zones 3, 4 and 5) will be subject to a 40% trap reduction. The trap reduction is expected to reduce entanglement risk for humpback whales by decreasing the number of vertical lines attached to traps in the water.
The Dungeness crab season in the Northern Management Area (Fishing Zones 1 and 2, California/Oregon border (42° N. latitude) to the Sonoma/Mendocino County line) will be further delayed pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 8276.2 because of the inability to conduct meat quality testing due to elevated levels of domoic acid. Pending results of ongoing domoic acid testing, the season will open on Jan. 15, 2026, at 12:01 a.m., under a 15% trap reduction in both Fishing Zones. A pre-soak period will begin on Jan. 12, 2026, at 8:01 a.m. The crab quality delay triggers the fair start provision under Fish and Game Code Section 8279.1. Under fair start a vessel is prohibited from taking, possessing onboard or landing crab in an area previously delayed for a period of 30 days from the date of the opening if that vessel previously participated in other commercial Dungeness crab fishing areas (including those in Oregon and Washington) during the same season.
Opening the commercial crab fishing season under a trap reduction strikes a balance between the needs of the commercial fishery and the protection of humpback whales which remain in areas that overlap with key fishing areas off the California coast.
“Setting the opening date of the Dungeness crab fishery is never easy. The commercial Dungeness crab fishery is inherently complex, and careful consideration is required to ensure we are supporting California’s fishing communities while also reducing risk of entanglement of whales and sea turtles off our coast,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “CDFW is grateful for the collaborative effort between commercial and recreational fishermen, environmental groups, scientists and agency partners that support our work in managing this iconic West Coast fishery.”
“The commercial fishing fleet has always been both a producer of sustainable seafood that feeds our communities and coastal economies, and a steward of the ocean we depend on for our lives and livelihoods. Hard work and sacrifices by the fleet have reduced entanglements even as whale populations have grown, and we appreciate CDFW for recognizing that progress and responding by opening the season with additional opportunity,” said Lisa Damrosch, Executive Director Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations. “This opening reflects a careful balance and shows what is possible through shared effort to thread the needle within the system we are operating under. We also want to thank the Director for his leadership and many years of service at CDFW, and wish him success in his next role.”
Any commercial Dungeness crab vessel fishing in or transiting Fishing Zones, regardless of fishing location, is subject to the 15% or 40% trap reduction based on the area transited. Commercial Dungeness crab vessels operating in all Fishing Zones are expected to comply with the restrictions detailed in the Director’s Declaration that includes additional information about this gear reduction.
CDFW is also lifting the temporary recreational crab trap restriction beginning Jan. 2, 2026, at 8:01 a.m., between the California/Oregon border and Cape Mendocino (40°10’ N. latitude) and between the Sonoma/Mendocino County line and Lopez Point, Monterey County (36° N. latitude) (Fishing Zones 1, 3 and 4).
CDFW encourages both the commercial and recreational crab fisheries to implement best fishing practices, as described in the Best Practices Guide, and avoid setting any fishing gear in areas where whales or sea turtles are present. In addition, the commercial fishery is encouraged to remain vigilant for lost or abandoned gear throughout the fishing season. Permitted commercial Dungeness crab vessels are allowed to retrieve up to six derelict commercial Dungeness crab traps per fishing trip pursuant to Section 132.2, Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations. Derelict fishing gear may also be reported through CalTIP.
For the latest information on domoic acid, health advisories and season closures please see the following:
CDFW:
CDPH:
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Domoic Acid results website (subsection Analytical Data – Crabs)
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Shellfish advisories page for latest consumption warnings
- Biotoxin information line: (510) 412-4643 or (800) 553-4133
CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place in mid-January 2026. For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page. For more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab. Please see Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the commercial fishery.
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