December 6, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 6, 2024 and delayed opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 1-6. The crab trap prohibition in the recreational fishery will continue in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 along with a recreational Fleet Advisory for all Fishing Zones.
November 21, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on November 21, 2024, and is delaying the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 and continuing the delay for Fishing Zones 3-6. The recreational crab trap prohibition in Fishing Zones 3 and 4, and the Fleet Advisory for Fishing Zones 1-6 remain in effect.
October 25, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on October 25, 2024, and delayed the opening of the Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 3-6, implemented a recreational crab trap prohibition in Fishing Zones 3 and 4, and issued a Fleet Advisory for Fishing Zones 1-6 for the recreational fishery.
June 13, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on June 13, 2024, and is continuing the 30-Fathom Depth Constraint in Fishing Zones 1-2 for the commercial fishery and the Crab Trap Prohibition in Fishing Zones 3, 4, and 5 for the recreational fishery through the end of the statutory season. The Depth Constraint and Crab Trap Prohibition went into effect on April 8, 2024, at 6:00pm. A Fleet Advisory would be maintained for all open Fishing Zones for both the commercial and recreational fisheries.
May 16, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on May 16, 2024, and is continuing the 30-Fathom Depth Constraint in Fishing Zones 1-2 for the commercial fishery and the Crab Trap Prohibition in Fishing Zones 3, 4, and 5 for the recreational fishery. The Depth Constraint and Crab Trap Prohibition went into effect on April 8, 2024, at 6:00pm. A Fleet Advisory would be maintained for all open Fishing Zones for both the commercial and recreational fisheries.
May 2, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on May 2, 2024, and is continuing the 30-Fathom Depth Constraint in Fishing Zones 1-2 for the commercial fishery and the Crab Trap Prohibition in Fishing Zones 3, 4, and 5 for the recreational fishery. The Depth Constraint and Crab Trap Prohibition went into effect on April 8, 2024, at 6:00pm. A Fleet Advisory would be maintained for all open Fishing Zones for both the commercial and recreational fisheries.
April 17, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on April 17, 2024, and is continuing the 30-Fathom Depth Constraint in Fishing Zones 1-2 for the commercial fishery and the Crab Trap Prohibition in Fishing Zones 3, 4, and 5 for the recreational fishery. The Depth Constraint and Crab Trap Prohibition went into effect on April 8, 2024, at 6:00pm. A Fleet Advisory would be maintained for all open Fishing Zones for both the commercial and recreational fisheries.
March 28, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on March 28, 2024, and is implementing a Season Closure for the commercial fishery in Fishing Zones 3-6 and a 30-fathom Depth Constraint in Fishing Zones 1-2, effective on April 8, 2024, at 6:00 pm. The take and possession of Dungeness crab will be prohibited after 6:00 pm on April 8, 2024, in Fishing Zones that have been closed for the remainder of the statutory season. A Crab Trap Prohibition for the recreational fishery in Fishing Zones 3, 4 and 5 will also take effect on April 8, 2024, at 6:00 pm.
March 13, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on March 13, 2024 and is continuing the 50 percent Gear Reduction in the commercial fishery in Fishing Zones 3-6 and continuing the Fleet Advisory for both the commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries.
February 15, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on February 15, 2024, and is continuing the 50 percent Gear Reduction in the commercial fishery in Fishing Zones 3-6 and continuing the Fleet Advisory for both the commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries.
January 11, 2024
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on January 11, 2024, and announced the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open in Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 on January 18, 2024, at 12:01am (gear setting period to begin on Jan. 15, 2024, at 8:00 am) with a 50% Gear Reduction and under a Fleet Advisory. Please see the 2023-24 Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) for more information about the fishing season.
The recreational crab trap restriction in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 will also be lifted effective 8:00 am on January 12, 2024. The Fleet Advisory for the recreational fleet in all Fishing Zones remains in effect.
December 20, 2023
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 20, 2023, and announced the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 on January 5, 2024, at 12:01am (gear setting period to begin on Jan. 2, 2024, at 8:01 am) under a Fleet Advisory, and will be delayed in in Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5, and 6 until at least the next risk assessment. The recreational crab trap restriction in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 will continue until at least the next risk assessment. The Fleet Advisory for the recreational fleet in Fishing Zones 1-6 remains in effect.
December 7, 2023
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 7, 2023, and delayed opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season in all Fishing Zones (1-6). The recreational trap prohibition in Fishing Zone 1 will be lifted effective 8:00am on December 16, 2023, however the trap prohibitions in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 will continue until at least the next assessment in late December.
November 17, 2023
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on November 17, 2023 and delayed opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 1-6. A recreational trap prohibition was also expanded and now includes Fishing Zones 1, 3 and 4. The recreational trap prohibition for Fishing Zone 1 will go into effect on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at 6 p.m. The trap prohibitions for Zone 1, 3 and 4 will continue until at least the next assessment in early December.
October 27, 2023
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on October 27, 2023 and delayed the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 3-6, implemented a recreational trap prohibition in Fishing Zones 3 and 4, and issued a recreational Fleet Advisory for Fishing Zones 1, 2, 5, and 6.
June 22, 2023
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on June 22, 2023 and is continuing the management actions currently in place for the commercial and recreational fisheries. Fishing Zones 1 and 2 remain open for commercial fishing under a Fleet Advisory and 30-fathom depth restriction. The recreational fishery remains open statewide, with a trap prohibition in place for Fishing Zones 3-6. These management actions will remain in place until the commercial fishery closure on July 15, 2023 and the recreational fishery closure on July 30, 2023 in Zones 1 and 2. The commercial fishery closed on April 15, 2023 and the recreational fishery will close on June 30, 2023 in Zones 3-6.
May 31, 2023
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on May 31, 2023 and is continuing the management actions currently in place for the commercial and recreational fisheries. Fishing Zones 1 and 2 remain open for commercial fishing under a Fleet Advisory and 30-fathom depth restriction. The recreational fishery remains open statewide, with a trap prohibition in place for Fishing Zones 3-6.
May 2, 2023
Director Bonham implemented a 30-fathom depth constraint in Zones 1 and 2 effective May 15, 2023 at 12:00pm. Recreational crab traps will also be prohibited for Zones 3-6 in the recreational fishery effective May 15, 2023 12:00pm. A statewide Fleet Advisory will remain in place through the close of the season in both fisheries.
March 30, 2023
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on March 30, 2023 and closed the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 effective April 15, 2023 at 12:00pm (noon). A statewide Fleet Advisory was continued for Fishing Zones 1-6.
March 16, 2023
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on March 16, 2023 and is continuing the Fleet Advisory for the commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries statewide.
February 15, 2023
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on February 15, 2023 and is continuing the Fleet Advisory for the commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries.
January 11, 2023
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on January 11, 2023 and is lifting the recreational trap restriction currently in place and issuing a Fleet Advisory for Fishing Zones 3-6 as of 8:01am on January 14, 2023. The Director is also continuing the Fleet Advisory currently in place for the commercial fishery in Fishing Zones 3-6, and will lift the commercial gear reduction currently in place for Fishing Zones 3-6 as of 8:01am on January 15, 2023.
December 22, 2022
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 22, 2022 and continued the recreational trap restriction currently in place for Fishing Zones 3-6. The commercial fishery in Fishing Zones 3-6 will open at 12:01am on December 31, 2022 under a Fleet Advisory and 50% gear reduction. Additional details regarding operations of the commercial fishery can be found in the Director’s Declaration below.
December 7, 2022
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 7, 2022 and continued the recreational trap restriction and commercial season delay currently in place for Fishing Zones 3-6. Management actions for these Fishing Zones will be evaluated during the next risk assessment, which is expected to occur on or before December 22, 2022.
November 21, 2022
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on November 21, 2022 and continued the recreational trap restriction in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 until 9am on November 28, 2022, and in Fishing Zones 3-6 until the next risk assessment. The Director also continued the delay of the commercial Dungeness crab season Fishing Zones 3-6 until at least December 16, 2022. Management actions for Fishing Zones 3-6 will be evaluated during the next risk assessment, which is expected to occur on or before December 7, 2022.
October 28, 2022
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on October 28, 2022 and delayed the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 3-6, and implemented a statewide recreational trap restriction in Fishing Zones 1-6.
April 13, 2022
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on April 13, 2022 and restricted the use of crab traps statewide for the remainder of the Dungeness crab season. The restriction applies to all crab traps regardless of target species.
April 6, 2022
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on April 6, 2022 and closed the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 1 and 2, effective April 20, 2022 at 12:00pm (noon).
March 25, 2022
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on March 25, 2022 and closed the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 effective April 8, 2022 at 12:00pm (noon). A Fleet Advisory was continued for Zones 1 and 2.
March 14, 2022
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on March 14, 2022 and continued the statewide Fleet Advisory for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery.
February 17, 2022
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on February 17, 2022 and implemented a statewide Fleet Advisory for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery.
January 18, 2022
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on January 18, 2022 and lifted the Fleet Advisories currently in place for the recreational and commercial fisheries.
December 15, 2021
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 15, 2021. In Fishing Zone 3, recreational use of traps can begin at 9 am on December 17, 2021 and the commercial fishery will open on December 29, 2021, with a pre-soak period to begin at 8:01 am on December 26, 2021. In Fishing Zone 4, the commercial fishery Depth Constraint will be lifted at 8:01 am on December 26, 2021.
December 9, 2021
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 9, 2021 and continued the delay of the commercial fishery as well as the recreational trap restriction in Fishing Zone 3. The recreational trap restriction in Fishing Zone 4 will be lifted on December 10, 2021 and the commercial fishery in Fishing Zone 4 will open on December 16, 2021 under a Depth Constraint and Fleet Advisory.
November 19, 2021
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on November 19, 2021 and continued the delay of the commercial fishery as well as the recreational trap restriction in Fishing Zones 3 and 4. A Fleet Advisory was also in place for Fishing Zones 1, 2, 5 and 6 for both fisheries.
November 1, 2021
The CDFW Director temporarily restricted the use of recreational crab traps in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 and delayed the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3 and 4.
May 18, 2021
The Director announced a closure of commercial Dungeness crab fishery statewide beginning at noon on June 1, 2021.
May 3, 2021
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on May 3, 2021 and is implementing a Depth Constraint, constraining the fishing to waters 30 fathoms and shallower for Fishing Zones 1 and 2. The Director is also maintaining a state-wide Fleet Advisory for all Zones (1-6).
April 14, 2021
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on April 14, 2021 and is maintaining a state-wide Fleet Advisory for all Fishing Zones (1-6).
April 1, 2021
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on April 1, 2021 and is maintaining a state-wide Fleet Advisory for all Fishing Zones (1-6).
March 17, 2021
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on March 17, 2021 and issued a state-wide Fleet Advisory for all Fishing Zones (1-6).
February 18, 2021
The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on February 18, 2021, no Management Action was required under the RAMP regulations.
January 15, 2021
CDFW lifted the Fleet Advisory for all Fishing Zones.
December 11, 2020
CDFW further delayed the start of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in the Central and Northern Management Areas (Fishing Zones 1-6) until December 23, 2020.
November 24, 2020
CDFW further delayed the start of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in the Central Management Area (Fishing Zones 3-6).
November 4, 2020
CDFW delayed the scheduled November 15 start to the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in the Central Management Area (Fishing Zones 3-6).
June 26, 2020
June 9, 2020
May 26, 2020
May 11, 2020
April 27, 2020
April 9, 2020
March 25, 2020
March 9, 2020
February 7, 2020
January 8, 2020
December 4, 2019
October 31, 2019
October 15, 2019