Regulations were updated to specify surface gear requirements for northern hoop net gear as follows:
- Set a maximize size for the main buoy of up to 6 inches in diameter and up to 14 inches in length. No changes were made to marking requirements for the main buoy.
- Allow for an optional secondary marker buoy that is:
- Solid orange in color
- Up to 6 inches in diameter and up to 14 inches in length, and
- Marked on two opposing sides with the unique letter “H”. Marking must be at least 2 inches in height and ¼-inch thick.
- Allow up to 12 feet of surface line between the main buoy and the marker buoy:
- For surface line of 6 feet or less, no line marking required.
- For surface line greater than 6 feet, the terminal end of the line must be marked with a solid orange mark that is 24 to 26 inches in length adjacent to a solid purple mark that is 24 to 26 inches in length (no unmarked line is allowed between the 2 colors). See this summary of northern hoop net regulations for more information.
Yes, you can still use only one buoy for your northern hoop net provided it is within the maximum size dimensions. The secondary buoy is optional.
No, the northern hoop net line marking requirement is not required for line lengths 6 feet or less between the main buoy and the secondary buoy.
Provided the main buoy size is within the maximum size dimensions of 6 inches in diameter and 14 inches in length, it is detached from the red marker buoy, and you use it as a main buoy (hoop net additional buoy must be orange with H marked on side, then you may use it to mark your northern hoop net. You may no longer use the small red marker buoy required on crab traps for northern hoop net surface gear.
No, you may not use the purple and black line required for the California Commercial Dungeness crab fishery. You are also not allowed to use any other uniquely marked line that is allowed for any other U.S. West Coast state or federal fisheries. Information on fisheries adopting and making effective line marking schemes will be summarized on the Whale Safe Fisheries - Gear Marking section as they become available.
A validation is no longer required for passengers onboard commercial passenger fishing vessels (CPFVs) when using crab traps to harvest crab. Otherwise, anyone who wishes to use a crab trap needs a crab trap validation stamp, even if under 16, on free fishing days, or when fishing from shore, a pier, or manmade structure.
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.
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. This can also be accomplished by painting a white buoy red as long as it fits the correct size dimensions.
No, the marker buoy for crab traps must be 3 x 5 inches.
The main buoy of crab traps or hoop nets can be any color or combination of colors.
Yes, the main buoy for crab traps must be at least 5 inches in diameter and 11 inches in length. This is the minimum size, and it can be larger.
Yes, you may connect two buoys to make a larger main buoy for crab traps, but note, if the buoys become separated you could be subject to enforcement action.
Only if the marker buoy is used as the trailer buoy. The regulations only allow one main buoy and one marker buoy for crab traps, no additional buoys may be added. The marker buoy must be attached no farther than 3 feet away from the main buoy.
The validation stamp costs $2.98 (as of 2025). All licenses and validations, including the crab trap validation, are good for 365 days from purchase date, see more information. It can be renewed with your sport license.
Depending on the operator of the hoop net, the main buoy should be marked as follows:
- From a CPFV, a DFG vesselID,
- From a licensed guide, their licensed guide ID, and
- For all other cases, a GO ID (for multiple operators, one GO ID is sufficient).
Hoop nets deployed by a person on shore or manmade structures connected to the shore are not required to marked with a surface buoy. A pier is a manmade structure connected to shore so hoop nets would not be required to have a marked surface buoy. All hoop nets need to fit the design type definitions and when deployed, hoop nets need to be serviced at intervals not to exceed 2 hours.