Dungeness and Rock Crab Regulation Updates Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (RAMP) For more information related to the risk assessment process for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery, please visit CDFW's Whale Safe Fisheries page. The Latest Information Please access one of the following sources for up-to-date information concerning crab season dates and related information: Visit the CDPH Domoic Acid web page for the latest crab test analyses and results (under Analytical Data - Crabs). Call the CDFW Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883 for up-to-date information about the Dungeness crab and Rock crab seasons. Call the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Shellfish Biotoxin Information line at: (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133 for updated crab consumption advisories, or visit the CDFW Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page. Sign up for the CDFW Marine Region News Service to receive the latest information about the crab seasons. Check the Marine Region News Room for press releases with information about the crab seasons. Call or drop by your local Marine Region CDFW office for the latest information before heading out on a crabbing trip. Commercial Crab Fishery Information Current Open and Closed Waters for Commercial Crab Fisheries due to Public Health Hazards Latest Season RAMP Risk Assessment Information Director's Declaration Implementing a Depth Constraint, constraining the fishing to waters 30 fathoms and shallower for Fishing Zones 1 and 2 and Maintaining a Statewide Fleet Advisory for the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF) 5/3/2021 Director's Declaration to Continue the Statewide Fishing Advisory for the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF) 4/1/2021 Director's Declaration to Issue a Statewide Fishing Advisory for the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF) 3/17/2021 Director's Declaration to Lift the Statewide Fishing Advisory for the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF) 1/15/2021 Director's Declaration to Delay the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery in Zones 1-6 Due to Marine Life Entanglement Risk Until December 23, 2020 (PDF) 12/11/2020 Director's Declaration to Delay the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery in Zones 3-6 Due to Marine Life Entanglement Risk (PDF) 11/24/2020 Director's Memo to Delay the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery to Dec. 16, 2020 in the Northern Management Area (Fishing Districts 6, 7, 8 and 9) Due to Quality Testing (PDF) 11/20/2020 Director's Declaration to Delay the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery in Zones 3-6 Due to Marine Life Entanglement Risk (PDF) 11/4/2020 Director's Declaration to Lift Closure of the Commercial Rock Crab Fishery in Parts of Humboldt County (PDF) 5/23/2019 Recommendation to Open the Commercial Rock Crab Fishery in Portions of Humboldt County (PDF) 5/23/2019 Memo from the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Recreational Crab Fishery Information Current Open and Closed Waters for Recreational Crab Fisheries due to Public Health Hazards CDFW Informational Flyer for the Recreational Crab Fishery and Dungeness Crab Season Modification Update 9/23/2021 Fish and Game Commission - Recreational Crab Rulemaking Documents Documents related to the recently completed rulemaking for the new crab regulations that include the approved regulatory language that will become effective November 1, 2021 News Releases, Memos, Notices and Blog Posts News Releases Commercial Dungeness Crab Update 5/3/2021 Commercial Dungeness Crab Update 3/18/2021 Commercial Dungeness Crab Update 12/11/2020 Commercial Dungeness Crab Update 11/24/2020 Update on the Commercial Dungeness Crab Season 11/20/2020 CDFW Works with Commercial Dungeness Crab Industry and Environmental Community to Implement New Regulations to Protect Whales from Entanglement 11/4/2020 Memos and Notices 2020-2021 Season Director's Declaration Implementing a Depth Constraint, constraining the fishing to waters 30 fathoms and shallower for Fishing Zones 1 and 2 and Maintaining a Statewide Fleet Advisory for the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF) 5/3/2021 Director's Declaration to Continue the Statewide Fishing Advisory for the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF) 4/1/2021 Director's Declaration to Issue a Statewide Fishing Advisory for the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF) 3/17/2021 Director's Declaration to Lift the Statewide Fishing Advisory for the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF) 1/15/2021 Director's Declaration to Delay the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery in Zones 1-6 Due to Marine Life Entanglement Risk Until December 23, 2020 (PDF) 12/11/2020 Director's Declaration to Delay the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery in Zones 3-6 Due to Marine Life Entanglement Risk (PDF) 11/24/2020 Director's Memo to Delay the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery to Dec. 16, 2020 in the Northern Management Area (Fishing Districts 6, 7, 8 and 9) Due to Quality Testing (PDF) 11/20/2020 Director's Declaration to Delay the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery in Zones 3-6 Due to Marine Life Entanglement Risk (PDF) 11/4/2020 Blog Posts New Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Regulations In Effect for 2020-2021 Season 10/29/2020 Marine Management News CDFW Featured Scientist: Christy Juhasz 4/18/2018 Science Institute Creature Feature: Red Rock Crab 11/18/2015 Marine Management News Regulations and Programs Regulations for Recreational Crab Fishery Recreational Regulations for Invertebrates Recreational Regulations for Crustaceans includes gear restrictions Recreational (Sport) Fishing License Information Regulations for Commercial Crab Fisheries Risk Assessment Mitigation Program Regulations Effective Nov. 1, 2020 (PDF) For more information, see the Rulemaking for the Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program See more information under CDFW's Whale Safe Fisheries page Commercial Dungeness Crab Gear Retrieval Program Lost or Abandoned Commercial Dungeness Crab Trap Gear Retrieval Permit (PDF) Trap Gear Retrieval Logbook (PDF) See more information under CDFW's Whale Safe Fisheries page Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Program 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 Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) Compliance Guide for the California Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Electronic Monitoring Program (PDF)(opens in new tab) Updated: May 3, 2021 2020-2021 Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery - Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)(opens in new tab) Updated: January 12, 2021 Advisory Groups Dungeness Crab Task Force(opens in new tab) Link to the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) website of the DCTF, the group that reviews and evaluates Dungeness crab fishery management Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group(opens in new tab) Collaborative effort between commercial and recreational fishermen, environmental organization representatives, members of the disentanglement network, and state and federal agencies to reduce the risk of whale entanglements with Dungeness crab fishing gear 2020-2021 Best Practices Guide for the Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF)(opens in new tab) Reports and Information Update on Biotoxin Management in the California Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF)(opens in new tab) 10/28/2020 Annual CDFW Accounting of Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Program Marine Species Portal with Status Reports for Select Fisheries Dungeness Crab Rock Crabs Dungeness Crab of California and Its Close Relatives (1986) Dungeness and other cancroid crab (rock, yellow and slender crabs) identification, biology, range, and fishing methods Information on Harmful Algal Blooms Summary of Key Themes, Discussion Highlights and Next Steps: Harmful Algal Blooms Workshop March 22-23, 2018 (PDF)(opens in new tab) Workshop Hosted by California Ocean Protection Council and California Science Trust Framing the Scientific Opportunities on Harmful Algal Blooms and Commercial Fisheries October 2016 (PDF)(opens in new tab) Developed by a working group of the California Ocean Protection Council Science Advisory Team and California Ocean Science Trust
