CDFW News

CDFW Protects Returning Humpback Whales from Entanglement Risk While Providing Continued Fishing Opportunities for Dungeness Crab

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:43:52 GMT

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP) and announced changes to both commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries. These changes, which will go into effect at 6 p.m. on April 15, 2025, are intended to provide continued fishing opportunities while minimizing entanglement risk as humpback whales return to forage off the coast of California.

The commercial fishery will remain open in Fishing Zones 1, 2, and 3 (California/Oregon state line to Pigeon Point, 37°11' N. latitude, San Mateo County) under existing trap reductions. A 30-fathom Depth Constraint will also be implemented, prohibiting the use of traps in the commercial fishery in waters seaward of the 30-fathom depth contour as defined by specific waypoints in Title 50 of the Federal Codes of Regulations, Part 660, Section 660.71.

The commercial fishery will close in Fishing Zones 4, 5 and 6 (Pigeon Point, 37°11' N. latitude, San Mateo County, to the U.S./Mexico border), at which time the commercial take and possession of Dungeness crab from those waters is prohibited.

A recreational crab trap restriction will be implemented in Fishing Zone 4 (Pigeon Point to Lopez Point, 36°00' N Latitude, Monterey County). CDFW reminds recreational crabbers that take of Dungeness crab by other methods (including hoop nets and crab snares) is allowed through the close of the season.

All open Fishing Zones remain under a Fleet Advisory for both the commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries. CDFW reminds all fishery participants to implement best practices, as described in the Best Practices Guide. Based on historical migration data, CDFW anticipates an increase in whale abundance in the upcoming weeks. Individuals should remain vigilant and be prepared to remove gear quickly, to minimize entanglement risk, in the event whales arrive sooner than expected.

Commercial Dungeness crab vessels are authorized to retrieve an unlimited number of commercial Dungeness crab traps which are lost, damaged, abandoned or otherwise derelict in Fishing Zones 4 through 6 starting at 6 a.m. on April 22, 2025. CDFW requests that individuals regularly report retrieved gear to WhaleSafeFisheries@wildlife.ca.gov. Any vessel operating or transiting in an open Fishing Zone may not possess more than six traps belonging to another vessel, pursuant to Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Section 132.2(a)(2)(A). In addition, CDFW has authorized the Lost and Abandoned Gear Retrieval Program to begin removing commercial Dungeness crab traps left in the water beginning April 22, 2025, at 6 a.m. in Fishing Zones 4, 5 and 6.

CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place in mid-April 2025. For more information related to the risk assessment process or trap gear retrieval, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page. For more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/crab.

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Media Contacts:
Ryan Bartling, CDFW Marine Region, (415) 238-2638
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

CDFW Continues Recreational Fishery Trap Restriction and Delays the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Due to Meat Quality and Whale Entanglement Risk

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 15:08:41 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is continuing the temporary recreational crab trap restriction from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Lopez Point (Fishing Zones 3 and 4) due to presence of humpback whales and the potential for entanglement from trap gear. Recreational take of Dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, is not affected by the temporary trap restriction in these areas. In addition, pursuant to Fish and Game Code 5523, CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham continued the delay for the recreational opener in the northern portion of Fishing Zone 1 (from the CA/OR border to the southern boundary of the Reading Rock State Marine Reserve) due to unhealthy levels of domoic acid. The Fleet Advisory issued for all Fishing Zones (1-6) for the recreational fishery remains in effect.

Pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 8676.2, CDFW Director Bonham delayed the northern California commercial Dungeness crab season for Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties (Fishing Zones 1 and 2), which had been scheduled to open on Dec. 1, 2024. Crab meat quality tests could not be conducted due to high domoic acid concentrations from crab collected at northern port locations requiring the fishery delay. Additionally, a high abundance of humpback and blue whales was observed creating elevated entanglement risk in these Fishing Zones.

CDFW is continuing the Commercial Dungeness crab fishery delay in Fishing Zones 3-6 due to the presence of humpback whales and risk of entanglement. This delay is necessary due to the high number of entanglements that have occurred this year, four of which involved the commercial fishery. The delay will allow whales to continue their migration to winter breeding grounds and away from the fishing grounds, thereby reducing entanglement risk.

Given the high abundance of whales and entanglements that have occurred this year, CDFW will assess entanglement risk again in early December. It is expected that the next risk assessment will take place on or before Dec. 5, 2024, at which time Director Bonham will re-evaluate the temporary recreational crab trap restrictions and statewide commercial fishery delay. That risk assessment is expected to inform the potential for a statewide commercial fishery opener and lifting of the recreational trap restriction on or around December 15, 2024.

For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries web page or more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit CDFW’s crab web page.

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Media Contacts:
Ryan Bartling, CDFW Marine Region, (415) 238-2638
Stephen Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

CDFW Continues Partial Recreational Crab Trap Restriction and Delays Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Due to Entanglement Risk

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 21:10:12 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is continuing the temporary recreational crab trap restriction from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Lopez Point, Monterey County, (Fishing Zones 3 and 4) due to the presence of humpback whales and the potential for entanglement of humpback whales and leatherback sea turtles with trap gear. The recreational trap restriction will be in effect until at least the next risk assessment. The temporary trap restriction currently in effect in Fishing Zone 1 (Cape Mendocino to the Oregon state line) will be lifted at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at which time the use of recreational crab traps in Fishing Zones 1, 2, 5 and 6 will be allowed. A Fleet Advisory remains in effect for the recreational fishery for all Fishing Zones (1-6). CDFW reminds recreational crabbers that take of Dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, is allowed during a temporary trap restriction. CDFW also encourages recreational crabbers to implement best practices, as described in the Best Practices Guide (PDF).

The commercial Dungeness crab fishery in all Fishing Zones (1-6) will remain delayed due to high numbers of humpback whales and a recent confirmed entanglement of a leatherback sea turtle in commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear lost in a previous season.

CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place on or around Dec. 21, 2023, at which time Director Charlton H. Bonham will re-evaluate available data to inform the potential for a commercial fishery opener and modification of the recreational trap restriction. For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page. For more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/crab.

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Media Contacts:
Ryan Bartling, CDFW Marine Region, (415) 238-2638
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

California Fish and Game Commission Holds First Hybrid Meeting

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 12:26:25 GMT

At its April meeting the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this week’s meeting held in Monterey and Trinidad, with an option for the public to join via Zoom.

The Commission adopted a regulation prohibiting the use of hydraulic pumps to take clams, sand crabs and shrimp. This regulation was previously adopted as a temporary, emergency regulation and is now adopted through the standard rulemaking process.

The Commission adopted the Pink (Ocean) Shrimp Fishery Management Plan, consistent with the Marine Life Management Act. The plan’s provisions align California’s pink shrimp management with that of Oregon and Washington, and puts the commercial pink shrimp trawl fishery on the path to be the first state-managed fishery in California with a Marine Stewardship Council sustainability certification.

The Commission determined that listing southern California steelhead as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) may be warranted. This action commences a one-year status review to be completed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), during which southern California steelhead is protected as a candidate species. However, the Commission also voted to allow take of southern California steelhead under certain circumstances for projects that serve an immediate need and provide flood protection, public safety (including highways), or water supply or water treatment.

The Commission voted unanimously to deny the petition requesting to ban bear hunting in California until three conditions were met, including conducting an empirical study to determine the state’s black bear population.

This was the first Commission meeting held since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with options for both in-person and virtual attendance. At the meeting in Monterey, Commission President Samantha Murray, Vice President Erika Zavaleta and Commissioner Eric Sklar were present. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin attended from a second public location in Trinidad, Calif. There is one vacant position on the Commission.

The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available on the Commission website. An archived audio file will be available in coming days. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for June 15-16, 2022. Please see the Commission website for details.

Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

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The California Fish and Game Commission was one of the first wildlife conservation agencies in the United States, predating even the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. There is often confusion about the distinction between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Commission. In the most basic terms, CDFW implements and enforces the regulations set by the Commission, as well as provides biological data and expertise to inform the Commission’s decision-making process.

CDFW Announces Closure of Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Off Central California to Protect Humpback Whales

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 13:08:40 GMT

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP) and announced the closure of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the U.S./Mexico border) effective at noon on April 8, 2022. This closure is being implemented because of two recent humpback whale entanglements that occurred off San Mateo County and in Monterey Bay involving California commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear. All commercial Dungeness crab traps must be removed from the fishing grounds by the April 8 closure date. While this closure shortens the season for many fishermen, the RAMP regulations are designed to minimize risk and provide for a long-term viable fishery for all Californians. In addition, the Director has authorized the Lost and Abandoned Gear Retrieval Program to begin removing commercial Dungeness crab traps left in the water beginning April 15, 2022, at noon in Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6.

CDFW asks fishermen and mariners to be on the lookout for entangled whales and report them so that a disentanglement response team can be mobilized to remove the gear. Reports can be made to 1-877-SOS-WHALE or contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16. The recreational fishery in these zones remains open but may be subject to a future trap restriction when humpbacks return to forage during the spring and summer. In addition, CDFW is continuing a Fleet Advisory and reminds all in the commercial and recreational fisheries to implement best practices, as described in the Best Practices Guide (PDF).

“The past few seasons have been difficult for fishing families, communities and businesses, but it is imperative that we strike the right balance between protecting humpback whales and providing fishing opportunity,” said Director Bonham. “The fleet has done an impressive job helping CDFW manage risk of entanglement in the commercial fishery, including starting to remove fishing gear when the entanglements were first reported. This partnership helps ensure we protect future opportunities to fish and the incredible biodiversity of our ocean.”

A map of all Fishing Zones (JPG) can be found on the CDFW website. For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries webpage. For more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit CDFW’s Crab webpage, including FAQs (PDF) for the 2021-22 commercial fishing season and FAQs for the new recreational crab trap regulations.

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Media Contacts:
Ryan Bartling, CDFW Marine Region, (415) 238-2638
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352