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

CDFW will open the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in the Central Management Area (Sonoma/Mendocino County line to Point Conception beginning Jan. 5, 2026.

After a delay to the season opener due to elevated levels of domoic acid, the recreational Dungeness crab fishery opened today in Del Norte and Mendocino counties and part of Humboldt County, though trap restrictions remain in place due to elevated entanglement risk.

The recreational Dungeness crab season will open beginning November 1, 2025, except in northern California where it has been delayed due to a public health hazard.

CDFW will open the commercial Dungeness crab fishery from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the U.S./Mexico border beginning Jan. 5, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. with pre-soak to begin on Jan. 2, 2025, at 8:01 a.m. This area (Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6) will be subject to a 50 percent trap reduction. The trap reduction is expected to reduce entanglement risk for humpback whales by decreasing the amount of gear and vertical lines in the water.