The recreational Dungeness crab season opens on Saturday, November 4, although use of crab traps will be temporarily restricted between the Sonoma/Mendocino county line and Lopez Point, Monterey County (Fishing Zones 3 and 4). The temporary ban on using crab traps is due to the presence of a large number of humpback whales feeding in the area, and the potential for entanglement with crab trap gear.
Importantly, a new emergency provision has been added to the groundfish regulations, allowing for crab fishing inshore of the 50-fathom Rockfish Conservation Area boundary. The provision authorizes the use of hoop nets, crab traps (where allowed), and dip nets (pursuant to CCR Title 14, Section 28.80) inshore of the 50-fathom line, when legally taken groundfish are on board. For instance, in areas where crab trapping is allowed, a fishing vessel can set their crab traps in nearshore waters, head out past the 50-fathom line and fish for rockfish, then come back inshore and pull their crab traps. It’s important to note that no other gear (such as hook-and-line gear) may be used and must be stowed while inshore of the 50-fathom line, when legally taken groundfish are on board.
In addition, transiting, drifting, and anchoring are allowed within a nearshore groundfish closure when legally taken groundfish are on board. These emergency regulations went into effect on Oct. 30, 2023 and will be in place for 180 days unless otherwise amended.
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Accompanying the trap restrictions in Zones 3 and 4, a Fleet Advisory for the recreational fishery has been issued statewide, reminding crabbers to avoid setting gear in areas where whales are transiting or foraging, and to follow the best practices for crabbing described in the Best Practices Guide.
Remember that anyone using traps must have a Recreational Crab Trap Validation, even if under the age of 16, on Free Fishing Days, and when fishing from shore, pier, or other manmade structures. Validations are also required for passengers on party boats using crab traps to harvest crab. For more recreational crabbing information, see our Crabs web page and Whale Safe Fisheries web page.
post by CDFW Staff
Marine Management News 