As humpback whales migrate along the California coast, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is tightening Dungeness crab fishing rules starting April 15 at 6 p.m. to prevent whale entanglements, while still allowing safe fishing under its Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP).
Key Changes:
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Commercial Fishing:
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Zones 1–3 (California-Oregon border to Pigeon Point): Stay open but with trap reductions and a new 30-fathom depth limit.
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Zones 4–6 (Pigeon Point to Mexico border): Closed completely to commercial crab fishing.
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Recreational Fishing:
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Zone 4 (Pigeon Point to Lopez Point): Traps banned, but hoop nets and crab snares still allowed.
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Additional Notes:
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Fishermen must follow the Fleet Advisory and use CDFW’s Best Practices Guide to reduce whale entanglement risks.
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April 22 at 6 a.m.: Commercial vessels can begin retrieving lost or abandoned traps in closed zones.
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Vessels in open zones may carry up to six traps from another vessel.
CDFW urges readiness as whale sightings increase, with the next risk assessment due mid-April.