CDFW photo by C. Juhasz
CDFW is set to open the commercial Dungeness crab season from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the U.S./Mexico border (Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5, and 6) on Jan. 18 at 12:01 a.m. A 64-hour trap pre-soak period will begin on Jan. 15, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
The commercial season will open under a 50-percent trap reduction to reduce the entanglement risk for humpback whales. Commercial Dungeness crab vessels operating in Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5, and 6 must understand and comply with the 50-percent trap reduction and other restrictions outlined in the CDFW Declaration opening the fishery.
The recreational trap restriction will also be lifted, from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Lopez Point, Monterey County, (Fishing Zones 3 and 4) on Jan. 12 at 8 a.m. Once the recreational trap restriction is lifted, traps may be fished north of Pt. Arguello, Santa Barbara County (in all ocean waters where trap use is permitted).
CDFW map
The changes are due to humpback whale abundance nearing a seasonal low as whales continue their south-bound migration to winter breeding grounds. The potential for whale entanglement in trap gear is reduced with fewer whales on the crabbing grounds.
A Fleet Advisory is still in effect statewide for both commercial and recreational crabbers. Avoid setting gear in areas where whales are present, and follow the best practices for crabbing described in the Best Practices Guide.
CDFW appreciates the assistance of permitted commercial crab vessels in the removal of all lost or abandoned gear encountered throughout the season, pursuant to Section 132.2, Title 14, California Code of Regulations. These vessels are allowed to retrieve up to six derelict commercial Dungeness crab traps per fishing trip.
The commercial Dungeness crab fishery north of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line opened on Jan. 5, 2024 with no restrictions.
post by Mary Patyten, CDFW Research Writer
Marine Management News 