The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will open the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 under a Fleet Advisory beginning Jan. 5, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. A 64-hour pre-soak can begin on Jan. 2, 2024 at 8:01 a.m. in waters ranging from the Oregon state line to the Sonoma/Mendocino county line. The commercial fishery will remain delayed from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the U.S./Mexico border (Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6) due to elevated numbers of humpback whales and increased entanglement risk.
The commercial Dungeness crab season remains delayed south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line until at least the next risk assessment. CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place on or around Jan. 11, 2024 at which time Director Bonham will re-evaluate available data related to entanglement risk. That risk assessment is expected to inform the potential for a commercial fishery opener in Fishing Zones 3-6 and modification of the recreational trap restriction.
The temporary crab trap restriction from the Sonoma/Mendocino County line to Lopez Point, Monterey County, (Fishing Zones 3 and 4) is continuing until lifted by the CDFW Director due to the presence of humpback whales in the area and the potential for entanglement from recreational crab trap gear. Recreational crabbers may still take Dungeness crab by other methods including by hand, hoop nets, and crab snares statewide during the temporary crab trap restriction.
Accompanying the trap restrictions, a Fleet Advisory for the recreational crab fisheries has been issued statewide. Avoid setting gear in areas where whales are present, and follow the best practices for crabbing described in the Best Practices Guide.
Recreational crabbers using crab traps in Fishing Zones 1, 2, 5, and 6 must have a Recreational Crab Trap Validation. Validations are required even when under the age of 16, and when fishing from shore, pier, or other manmade structures. Validations are also required for passengers on party boats using crab traps to harvest crab.
For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit the CDFW Whale-Safe Fisheries web page. To learn more about Dungeness crab and the recreational and commercial fisheries, visit the CDFW Crabs web page.