California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP) and announced a delay in the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 3-6, a temporary crab trap restriction in the recreational crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3 and 4, and a Fleet Advisory for the recreational fleet in Fishing Zones 1-6. Recreational take of Dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, is not affected by the temporary trap restriction and is allowed statewide beginning Nov. 2, 2024. The use of recreational crab traps will be allowed when the season opens in Fishing Zones 1, 2, and 5. As a reminder, crab traps cannot be used south of Point Arguello.
The next scheduled risk assessment is expected to occur on or around Nov. 22, 2024. The full news release can be found at the CDFW News Room and for more information, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries webpage.