CDFW News

Recreational Dungeness Crab Fishery to Open in Last Closed Area of Humboldt County After Delay Due to Public Health Risks

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:48:43 GMT

The last area of the recreational Dungeness crab fishery in Humboldt County opened today after being delayed due to elevated levels of domoic acid.

State health agencies determined that Dungeness crab in waters from the southern boundary of the Reading Rock Marine Protected Areas (41° 17.6’ N. latitude) to Cape Mendocino (40° 10.0’ N. latitude) can open. While the area is open to fishing, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a health advisory to not eat crab viscera (also known as guts) and to clean crab prior to cooking.

Following the recommendation (PDF) from state health agencies, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Acting Director Valerie Termini declared (PDF) the recreational Dungeness crab fishery open in the remaining delayed area of Humboldt County.

Due to the potential for whales in this area to become entangled in trap buoy lines, Dungeness crab may currently only be taken with hoop nets, crab snares, or by hand in accordance with the declared trap prohibition in RAMP Fishing Zone 1. Effective 8:01 a.m., January 2, 2026, crab trap restrictions in this area will be lifted and all recreational gear types may be used statewide.

After being delayed due to entanglement risk, the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in the Central Management Area (Sonoma/Mendocino County line (38°46.125’ N. latitude) to Point Conception (34°27’ N. latitude)) will open on January 5, 2026, at 12:01 a.m., under a 40% trap reduction. The trap reduction is expected to reduce entanglement risk for humpback whales by decreasing the number of vertical lines attached to traps in the water. The Dungeness crab season in the Northern Management Area (California/Oregon border (42° N. latitude) to the Sonoma/Mendocino County line) remains delayed because of the inability to conduct meat quality testing due to elevated levels of domoic acid. Pending results of ongoing domoic acid testing, the season will open on January 15, 2026, at 12:01 a.m., under a 15% trap reduction.

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 CDFW's Invertebrates of Interest: Crab web page.

For the latest information on domoic acid, health advisories and season closures, please see the following:

CDFW:

Fishery closure information and health advisories page
Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line: (831) 649-2883

CDPH:

Domoic Acid(opens in new tab) results website (subsection Analytical Data – Crabs)
Shellfish advisories page for latest consumption warnings
Biotoxin information Line: (510) 412-4643 or (800) 553-4133

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Media Contacts:
Christy Juhasz, CDFW Marine Region, (707) 292-2480
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications

Del Norte County Razor Clam Fishery Opens Under a Continuing Health Advisory for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:30:01 GMT

The Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has re-opened the recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County (PDF) following a recommendation from state health agencies that domoic acid no longer poses a significant threat (PDF).

While the razor clam fishery has reopened due to recent tests for domoic acid, the bivalve shellfish health advisory for Del Norte County issued by California Department of Public Health on July 3, 2025, warning consumers not to consume any sport-harvested bivalves (including razor clams, mussels, scallops, and clams, etc.) due to dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins remains in effect. The razor clam fishery remains closed in Humboldt County due to elevated levels of domoic acid.

The razor clam fishery was closed in Del Norte County due to elevated levels of domoic acid in November 2023. State health agencies have continued to monitor domoic acid levels in razor clams since the closure, but test results consistently showed elevated levels, exceeding the federal action level (≥20 parts per million (ppm)). Clams collected in June and July 2025 from Crescent Beach, Del Norte County all had domoic acid concentrations lower than the federal action level, allowing the fishery to reopen. However, PSP toxicity caused by a different marine plankton species continues to be a concern. Testing for PSP and other toxins will continue. For the latest areas under health advisories issued by CDPH, please refer to their Recreational Bivalve Shellfish Health Advisory Map, which includes recent bivalve testing data reports.

CDFW reminds clammers that the daily bag limit for razor clams is 20 and the first 20 clams dug must be retained regardless of size or condition. The fishery in odd-numbered years is open north of Battery Point, Crescent City in Del Norte County. Each person is required to keep a separate container for their clams and is not allowed to commingle their take with another person when digging and transporting clams to shore.

For more information, please refer to Section 29.20 Clams General and Section 29.45 for specific razor clam regulations that can be accessed from the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulation Guide (PDF).

For more information on any fishery closure information or health advisories, please visit https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Health-Advisories.

To get the latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid, call CDFW’s Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883.

For the latest consumption warnings, call the California Department of Public Health’s Biotoxin information Line at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133. For more information on the Annual Mussel Quarantine, please visit California Department of Public Health’s FAQs: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DRSEM/Pages/EMB/Shellfish/Annual-Mussel-Quarantine.aspx

Currently, ongoing tsunami advisories across portions of the California coast may inhibit coastal access. For additional information related to active and ongoing tsunami advisories in California, please visit U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers.

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Media Contacts:
Christy Juhasz, CDFW Marine Region, (707) 292-2480
Kaitlin Talbot, CDFW Communications,

CDFW to End Hatchery Operations at Mad River Fish Hatchery in Humboldt County

Fri, 02 May 2025 10:40:52 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has made the difficult decision to cease hatchery operations at the Mad River Fish Hatchery in Humboldt County.

A combination of increased regulatory burden and a lack of flexibility, aging infrastructure, significant and necessary costly repairs and maintenance, modernization needs, and low fish production and returns forced the decision to close the steelhead trout hatchery just east of Arcata.

“Quite simply, the steelhead program is no longer viable,” said Jason Roberts, Inland Fisheries Program Manager for CDFW’s Northern Region. “The Mad River Fish Hatchery is no longer providing much if any conservation benefit to the species nor the intended recreation or sport fishing benefits in the Mad River. The careful review of these resources indicated they could be better used elsewhere. Our focus now is implementing a transition plan for employees, equipment and resources, repurposing the buildings and making sure the property remains open and accessible for the public to access the Mad River.”

The Mad River Fish Hatchery has been beset by challenges for two decades. In 2004, a state budget crisis forced its closure. The hatchery was able to reopen in 2005 due to community support, but its operations have diminished over time as regulatory demands, operational expenses and infrastructure maintenance needs have increased.

Opened in 1971, the hatchery once raised Chinook salmon, inland salmon and rainbow trout for recreational fishing and steelhead trout to support the native run within the Mad River itself. Over time, all but the steelhead and trout programs have been phased out of hatchery operations.

Today, the Mad River Fish Hatchery is CDFW’s smallest hatchery with three full-time employees, a $730,000 annual budget and a maximum annual steelhead production goal capped by federal fish agencies at 150,000 fish. CDFW’s Trinity River Hatchery by comparison, which also operates a steelhead program to support species conservation and a destination sport fishery, raises and releases about 450,000 steelhead and 4.6 million salmon annually.

CDFW estimates it would need another $1 million annually to continue Mad River Fish Hatchery operations at current levels and likely tens of millions of additional dollars to make needed repairs, modernize the facility for the future and meet federal requirements.

The northern California steelhead found in the Mad River is a federally listed threatened species. As such, the federal government has considerable regulatory authority and oversight of Mad River Fish Hatchery operations, including operational standards that cap production limits in multiple ways and require biological monitoring of impacts to wild populations.

Remaining steelhead in the hatchery will be released into the Mad River in the spring with hatchery operations expected to cease in June.

CDFW plans to maintain a presence at the hatchery facility, repurposing the buildings into offices and continuing to use the workshop. The property will continue to be open from sunrise to sunset to allow public access to the river. The public’s current use of the premises to park and access fishing, hiking, birding and swimming along the Mad River will remain.

The closure of Mad River Fish Hatchery operations will not impact the local stocking of rainbow trout in inland waters for recreational fishing in Humboldt County.

Apart from Mad River, CDFW operates 20 other hatcheries across the state producing millions of fish for conservation and recreation every year. For more information about California’s hatcheries, head to CDFW Fish Hatcheries web page.

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Media Contacts:
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858
Jason Roberts, CDFW Northern Region (530) 526-2168

CDFW to Host In-Person Public Meetings to Discuss North Coast Elk Management

Wed, 17 May 2023 12:41:25 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will hold two public, in-person meetings on May 22 and 23, 2023, in Humboldt and Del Norte counties, respectively, to provide information and receive input regarding elk management within the North Coast Roosevelt Elk Management Unit.

The meetings will provide a brief update on the current status of the elk population within the North Coast Roosevelt Elk Management Unit and offer an opportunity to discuss and collaborate with local partners on current and future management directions, policies and regulations. CDFW is seeking input from community partners during these meetings to refine and finalize plans specific to the North Coast Roosevelt Elk Management Unit as outlined in the 2018 Elk Conservation and Management Plan (PDF).

These meetings are in-person only with no virtual options to attend.

Monday, May 22 – Humboldt County
Humboldt Grange Hall
5845 Humboldt Hill Road, Eureka, 95503
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a break from noon to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, May 23 – Del Norte County
Lake Earl Grange Hall
6820 Lake Earl Drive, Fort Dick, 95538
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a break from noon to 1 p.m.

For more information about these meetings, or if you cannot attend and would like to submit questions or comments, please contact CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist Shawn Fresz at (707) 601-6281 or by e-mail at Shawn.Fresz@wildlife.ca.gov.

CDFW photo of Roosevelt elk by Tim Walton

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Media Contacts:
Shawn Fresz, CDFW Northern Region, (707) 601-6281
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

Razor Clam Fishery Closes in Humboldt County Due to Public Health Hazard

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:26:01 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has closed the recreational razor clam fishery in Humboldt County (PDF) following a recommendation from state health agencies (PDF) determining that consumption of razor clams in the area poses a significant threat for domoic acid exposure.

Pseudo-nitzschia, a naturally occurring, single-celled marine alga, produces the potent neurotoxin domoic acid under certain ocean conditions. Bivalve shellfish, like clams and mussels, accumulate the toxin without being harmed. In fact, razor clams are known to bioaccumulate domoic acid, meaning it may not clear their system until long after the ocean conditions that caused it have abated.

Sampling of razor clams from Clam Beach in Humboldt County in early April (PDF) found clams exceeding the current federal action level for domoic acid of greater than or equal to 20 parts per million.

Domoic acid poisoning in humans may occur within minutes to hours after consumption of affected seafood and can result in signs and symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to permanent loss of short-term memory (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning), coma or death. There is no way to prepare clams for consumption that will remove the toxin – cooking and freezing have no effect.

The recreational clam fishery in Del Norte County is also closed at this time. CDFW will continue to work with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to collect, monitor and analyze razor clams to determine when the recreational razor clam fishery can be reopened safely in these areas.

For more information on any fishery closure or health advisories, visit wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Health-Advisories.

To get the latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid, call CDFW’s Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883.

For the latest consumption warnings, call 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
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352