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 CFDW Moves Quickly To Close the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Statewide In Response to Humpback Whale Entanglements 4/6/2022 CDFW Announces Closure of Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Off Central California To Protect Humpback Whales 3/25/2022 CDFW Announces Start Of Commercial Crab Fishery And Recreation Use Of Crab Traps In Fishing Zone 3 12/15/2021 Commercial and Recreational Dungeness Crab Fishery Update - Monterey Bay to Open for Crabbing 12/9/2021 Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Opens December 1 in Northern California 11/22/2021 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 Latest Season RAMP Risk Assessment Information (for recreational use of crab traps) CDFW Restricts The Use Of Crab Traps For The Recreational Crab Fishery To Minimize Risk of Whale Entanglements 4/13/2022 Summary of Recreational 2021-22 Dungeness Crab Season and Crab Trap Regulations (PDF) Summary of Northern California Hoop Net Regulations (PDF) Recreational Regulations for Crustaceans includes updated gear restrictions Dungeness Crab Regulation Changes for the Recreational Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF) (1-page flyer) 9/23/2021 Fish and Game Commission - Recreational Crab Rulemaking Documents Documents related to the recently completed rulemaking for the new crab regulations Frequently Asked Questions for Recreational Crabbing in California Why the new regulations? The new regulations were adopted to address entanglement risk in the recreational fishery and minimize interaction potential with protected whales and sea turtles. See the full background and rationale on the Fish and Game Commission website. Will the season be delayed? The season is subject to delay by the Director to minimize entanglement risk. To get the latest updates, sign up on our Whale Safe Fisheries page. Does a delay or closure to the recreational Dungeness crab trap season due to marine life entanglement risk affect the season for the other legal methods of take for these crab? No, other methods of take using hoop nets, crab loop traps, and by hand are allowed and not affected by such a delay or closure provided Dungeness crab are caught in the season specified in Section 29.85(b) (PDF). What color red does the marker buoy have to be? The marker buoy can be any color red, there is not a specific red indicated in regulation. A bright red is preferred for the best visibility. What if I cannot find a red marker buoy to purchase? To be in compliance, you must use the specified color and size buoy. You should continue to work to source the correct buoy. They have generally been available at West Marine, Englund Marine and online. Can the marker buoy be larger than 3 x 5 inches? No, the marker buoy must be 3 x 5 inches. What color does the main buoy have to be? The main buoy can be any color or combination of colors. Is the main buoy a minimum size, can it be larger? Yes, the main buoy must be at least 5 inches in diameter and 11 inches in length. This is the minimum size, and it can be larger. Can I connect connect two buoys together to make it a larger main buoy? Yes, you may connect two buoys to make a larger main buoy, but note, if the buoys become separated you could be subject to enforcement action. Can I use a trailer buoy? Only if the marker buoy is used as the trailer buoy. The regulations only allow one main buoy and one marker buoy, no additional buoys may be added. The marker buoy must be attached no farther than 3 feet away from the main buoy. Who needs a validation stamp? Anyone who wishes to use a crab trap needs a validation stamp, even if under 16, on free fishing days, or when fishing from shore, a pier, or manmade structure. It is not required for take using any other method. Do I need a validation if I am using a ring/hoop net, crab loop trap/snare, or taking by hand? No, only those using crab traps as defined in regulation require the validation, see 29.80(c), Title 14 CCR. How much does the validation cost and how long is it good for? The validation stamp currently costs $2.42 and is good for the year issued. It can be renewed annually with your sport license. News Releases, Memos, Notices and Blog Posts News Releases CDFW Restricts The Use of Crab Traps For The Recreational Crab Fishery To Minimize Risk Of Whale Entanglements 4/13/2022 CDFW Moves Quickly To Close The Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Statewide In Response To Humpback Whale Entanglements 4/6/2022 CDFW Announces Closure Of Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Off Central California to Protect Humpback Whales 3/25/2022 CDFW Announces Start of Commercial Crab Fishery And Recreational Use of Crab Traps in Zone 3 12/15/2021 Commercial and Recreational Dungeness Crab Fishery - Monterey Bay to Open for Crabbing 12/9/2021 Commercial and Recreational Dungeness Crab Fishery Update 11/19/2021 CDFW Works with the Recreational and Commercial Dungeness Crab Fleets to Protect Whales and Sea Turtles 11/1/2021 New Recreational Dungeness Crab Fishery Regulations Adopted to Manage Entanglement Risk for Whales and Sea Turtles 10/27/2021 CDFW Works with Diverse Stakeholder Group to Manage Entanglement Risk in the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery 5/18/2021 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 2021-2022 Season Director's Declaration to Restrict Recreational Crab Traps Statewide Due To Risk of Marine Life Entanglement (PDF) 4/13/2022 Director's Declaration to Close Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery in Zones 1 and 2 (California/Oregon Border to Sonoma/Mendocino County Line) Due To Risk of Marine Life Entanglement (PDF) 4/6/2022 Director's Declaration to Close Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery in Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Sonoma/Mendocino County Line to California/Mexico Border) Due To Risk of Marine Life Entanglement (PDF) 3/25/2022 Director Declaration to Lift Recreational Crab Trap Restriction and Open the Commercial Fishery in Zone 3 (Sonoma/Mendocino County Line to Pigeon Point, San Mateo County) (PDF) 12/15/2021 Director Declaration to Lift Recreational Crab Trap Restriction and Open the Commercial Fishery in Zone 4 (Pigeon Point, San Mateo County to Lopez Point, Monterey County), but Continue to Delay Commercial Fishery and Restriction of Crab Traps for Recreational Fishery in Zone 3 (Sonoma/Mendocino County Line to Pigeon Point, San Mateo County) (PDF) 12/9/2021 Director Declaration to Continue to Delay Commercial Fishing and Restrict Crab Traps for Recreational Fishery in Zones 3 and 4 (Sonoma/Mendocino County Line to Lopez Point, Monterey County) (PDF) 11/19/2021 Director Declaration to Delay Commercial Fishing and Restrict Crab Traps for Recreational Fishery in Zones 3 and 4 (Sonoma/Mendocino County Line to Lopez Point, Monterey County) (PDF) 11/1/2021 Blog Posts CDFW Releases Updated Draft Conservation Plan for Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery 12/2/2021 Marine Management News Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Opens December 1 in Northern California 11/22/2021 Marine Management News New Trap Regulations for Recreational Crabbing in California 9/24/2021 Marine Management News 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 Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery -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 2021-2022 Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery - Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)(opens in new tab) Updated: January 11, 2022 NEW Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Sorting Box Procedures - Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)(opens in new tab) Issued: March 10, 2022 NEW FAQ: Retrieval Options for Lost or Abandoned Commercial Dungeness Crab Gear (PDF) Updated: June 28, 2022 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 Current Best Practices Guide for the Dungeness Crab Fishery (PDF)(opens in new tab)(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
