December 17, 2025 CFSI Staff

California Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Delayed Due to Public Health Risks, Entanglement, and Quality Issues

Courtesy of CDFW:

The commercial Dungeness crab season remains delayed due to entanglement risk, elevated levels of domoic acid and crab quality testing. Entanglement risk will be reevaluated next week to inform a possible opening of the commercial fishery around the New Year and possible lifting of the recreational trap restrictions.

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 wildlife.ca.gov/crab. For the latest information on domoic acid, health advisories and season closures, please see the following:

CDFW:

CDPH:

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