California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP) and announced the continuation of the 25% Gear Reduction and 30-Fathom Depth Constraint for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 1-2, and the continuation of the Crab Trap Prohibition for the recreational fishery in Fishing Zones 3-4. The Fleet Advisory for all open Fishing Zones remains in effect for the recreational and commercial fleets. 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 until the regular season closure pursuant to Section 29.85 , Title 14, California Code of Regulations.
The next scheduled risk assessment is expected to occur on or around June 5, 2025. For more information, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries webpage.