Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery to Open in Portions of Northern California, One Area Further Delayed Due to Public Health Hazard

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:58:27 GMT

After delays due to entanglement risk, crab meat quality issues, and elevated levels of domoic acid, the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open in portions of northern California on Jan. 15 under a 15% gear reduction (PDF). The commercial fishery will open in the following areas at 12:01 a.m., January 15, 2026 preceded by a 64-hour gear setting period beginning at 8:01 a.m. on January 12, 2026

California/Oregon border (42° 0.0’ N. latitude) to the southern boundary of the Reading Rock State Marine Protected Areas (41° 17.6' N. latitude), and
Cape Mendocino (40° 10.0’ N. latitude) to the Sonoma/Mendocino County line (38° 46.125’ N. latitude).

This follows the Jan. 5 opening of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in the Central Management Area (south of the Sonoma/Mendocino County line, 38° 46.125’ N. latitude).

In one area ;of northern California, state health agencies determined that Dungeness crab have unhealthy levels of domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin, and recommended delaying the opening of the commercial fishery in that area. Following this recommendation (PDF), the Acting Director of California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) ordered a delay in the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery from the southern boundary of the Reading Rock State Marine Protected Areas (41o 17.6' N. latitude) to Cape Mendocino (40° 10.0’ N. latitude).

Please see the CDFW Director’s Declaration (PDF) regarding allowances for transiting, possessing, and landing Dungeness crab within this closure area.

The Fair Start Provision is also triggered when there are commercial season delays along the West Coast for Dungeness crab. This provision prohibits vessels that fished in another area prior to the opening of a delayed area from fishing in the newly opened area for a period of 30 days. This will apply to the fishing areas that are scheduled to open Jan. 15 and vessels subject to Fair Start may not begin fishing in these areas until Feb 14. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) for the current 2025-26 commercial Dungeness crab season.

The delayed opening of commercial Dungeness crab fishing in this area shall remain in effect until the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with the State Public Health Officer of California Department of Public Health (CDPH), determines that domoic acid no longer poses a significant risk to public health. If a determination is made that any part of the delay should be lifted, announcements will be made as soon as possible. ;Pursuant to Section 5523 of the Fish and Game Code, the CDFW Director may provide a minimum of 72-hour notice to the fleet when trap gear can be set.

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by Pseudo-nitzschia, a naturally occurring single-celled, marine alga. Domoic acid can accumulate in shellfish, other invertebrates and sometimes fish without the organism becoming ill themselves. At low levels, domoic acid exposure can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness in humans. At higher levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and, in severe cases, death.

The latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid will be updated on CDFW’s fishery closure information and health advisories website or by calling CDFW’s Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883.

The latest domoic acid test results for Dungeness crab are posted on the CDPH’s Domoic Acid website (subsection Analytical Data – Crabs).

For the latest consumption warnings, please check for any Dungeness crab health advisory information on the CDPH's shellfish advisories page or by calling the CDPH’s Biotoxin Information Line at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133.

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Media Contacts:
Christy Juhasz, CDFW Marine Region, (707) 292-2480
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

Recreational Dungeness Crab Fishery Delayed in a Portion of Northern California State Waters Due to Public Health Hazard

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:43:40 GMT

The recreational fishery for Dungeness crab will open on Saturday, Nov. 2 except for one area in northern California due to a public health hazard.

State health agencies determined that Dungeness crab in portions of northern California have unhealthy levels of domoic acid and recommended delaying the opening of the recreational fishery in state waters from the California/Oregon state line (42° 0.00’ N latitude) south to the southern boundary of the Reading Rock State Marine Reserve (41° 17.6’ N latitude) in Humboldt County.

Following this recommendation (PDF), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham ordered a delay (PDF) of the opening of the recreational Dungeness crab fishery in this area of northern California. Recreational take and/or possession of Dungeness crab is prohibited in these closed waters. Please see the Directors Declaration (PDF) regarding allowances for transiting and possessing Dungeness crab in the area. Other areas of the coast will open as scheduled.

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by Pseudo-nitzschia, a naturally occurring single-celled, marine alga under certain ocean conditions. Domoic acid can accumulate in shellfish, other invertebrates and sometimes fish without the organism becoming ill themselves. At low levels, domoic acid exposure can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness in humans. At higher levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and can in some cases be fatal.

This delay of season shall remain in effect until the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with the State Public Health Officer of California Department of Public Health (CDPH), determines that domoic acid no longer poses a significant risk to public health. Results of the sampling could change, or eliminate, the need for this delayed area. If a determination is made that the delay should be changed or lifted, announcements will be made as soon as possible. Pursuant to Fish and Game Code, section 5523, the Director of CDFW will notify the California Fish and Game Commission of the delay and request that the Commission schedule a public discussion at its next scheduled meeting.

The latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid will be updated on CDFW’s fishery closure information and health advisories page or by calling CDFW’s Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883.

The latest domoic acid test results for Dungeness crab are posted on the CDPH’s Domoic Acid website (subsection Analytical Data – Crabs).

For the latest consumption warnings, please check for any Dungeness crab health advisory information on the CDPH's shellfish advisories page or by calling the CDPH’s Biotoxin information Line at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133.

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Media Contacts:
Christy Juhasz, CDFW Marine Region, (707) 292-2480
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

CDFW News

Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery to Open in Portions of Northern California, One Area Further Delayed Due to Public Health Hazard

Recreational Dungeness Crab Fishery Delayed in a Portion of Northern California State Waters Due to Public Health Hazard