Regulations were updated to specify surface gear requirements for northern hoop net gear as follows:
- Set a maximum 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 (PDF) 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 of 6 feet or less between the main buoy and the secondary buoy.
Provided the main buoy is within the maximum size dimensions of 6 inches in diameter and 14 inches in length, is detached from the red marker buoy, and you use it as a main buoy (additional hoop net 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 required for any other U.S. West Coast state or federal fishery. You may not use red and black lines as they are required for the Washington commercial Dungeness crab fishery, or yellow and black lines as they are required for the Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishery. Information on these fisheries and others adopting and developing effective line marking schemes are summarized on the Whale Safe Fisheries - Gear Marking section as they become available.
A crab trap validation is no longer required for passengers onboard commercial passenger fishing vessels (CPFVs) when using crab traps to harvest crab. Anyone else who wishes to use a crab trap needs a crab trap validation, even if under 16, on free fishing days, or when fishing from shore, a pier, or manmade structure. A crab trap validation permits the holder to use up to the legal limit of crab traps.
First, your passengers are no longer required to have individual Recreational Crab Trap validations. However, if you use crab traps the operator of the charter vessel will need a valid Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel (CPFV) Crab Trap Validation available for purchase online and at select license agents that sell commercial licenses. The CPFV Crab Trap Validation will need to be purchased after the start of each license period.
In addition, anytime you catch crab (north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County), with either a hoop net or crab trap you will be required to record the number of hoop nets and/or crab traps on your CPFV logbook. For more information on northern hoop net buoy and line marking requirement changes, please refer to this FAQ.
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. You can also paint a 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 that 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:
- CPFV operator: The number must be a DFG vesselID number
- Licensed guide: The number must be the licensed guide ID number
- For all other cases, a GO ID number (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 use surface buoys on their hoop nets. Since a pier is a manmade structure connected to shore, marked surface buoys would not be required on hoop nets. 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.