Management of Commercial Invertebrate Fisheries

Note: Links with an asterisk (*) lead to pages outside the CDFW Marine Region website.

The CDFW is primarily responsible for management of fishery resources within state waters. The CDFW formulates general state programs and policies concerning management and conservation of fish and invertebrate resources and establishes seasons, methods and limits for harvest. In California, this is done in concert with the governor-appointed California Fish and Game Commission and in cooperation with the State legislature for those species not managed exclusively by the Commission.

The following links lead to California commercial fishery management information for marine invertebrates:

General

California Commercial Landings
Commercial landings numbers since 2000, including invertebrate landings

Abalone

Abalone Recovery and Management Plan
CDFW's Abalone Recovery and Management Plan, mandated by Fish and Game Code Section 5522
- San Miguel Island Red Abalone Fishery Consideration Process
California's Living Marine Resources - A Status Report: Abalone - 2001 (PDF)
An in-depth status report on the five major species of abalone found in California's ocean waters, with historic landings data
Marine Protected Areas in Central California and Potential Benefits to Selected Species: Abalone - 2002 (PDF)
An overview of abalone status of the population, home range/migratory patterns, current regulations, and how central California MPAs may affect the species
Red Abalone Fishery Management Plan (in progress)
Status of the Fisheries Report: Abalones - 2003 (PDF)

California Spiny Lobster - Including Information On New Trap Limit And Other New Regulations

Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan

Crab - General

Commercial Dungeness and Rock Crab Season Information
- Regulations and Program Information
PSMFC Commercial Dungeness Crab News and Pre-Season Quality Test Results
Link to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission Website for pre--season crab quality testing results and other information
Dungeness Crab Task Force
Link to the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) website of the DCTF, the group that reviews and evaluates Dungeness crab fishery management
Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Program
CA Marine Species Portal
- Dungeness Crab
- Rock Crabs
Status of the Fisheries Reports
Overview of the fisheries with historical references for the following species
California's Living Marine Resources - A Status Report (2001)

Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Program

The Dungeness crab trap limit program was adopted in March 2013 as authorized by §8276.5 of the Fish and Game Code. Regulations pertaining to the program can be found in §§132.1 to 132. 5, Title 14, California Code of Regulations. Annual accounting summaries for the program since inception are provided.