The recreational dungeness crab season will open statewide beginning Nov. 2.
But the use of traps will be temporarily prohibited between the Sonoma/Mendocino County line and Lopez Point in Monterey County when the season opens due to presence of humpback whales and potential for entanglement from trap gear.
The recreational take of dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, is not affected by the temporary trap restriction in these areas.
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. In addition, a Fleet Advisory has been issued for all Fishing Zones for the recreational fishery.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reminds anglers that the deployment and use of crab traps in any recreational crab fishery (including rock crab) is temporarily restricted in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 until lifted by the CDFW Director.
Recreational crabbers should also implement best practices when fishing with hoop nets or crab traps in open Fishing Zones, as described in the Best Practices Guide.
CDFW estimates that the next risk assessment will take place on or around Nov. 15, at which time the director will re-evaluate risk for the dungeness crab fisheries. That decision could impact the statewide commercial fishery opener on Dec. 1.
For information related to the risk assessment process, visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page. For information on the dungeness crab fishery, visit wildlife.ca.gov/crab.
