News Archive Media Contact Contact an Information Officer Related News Feeds OSPR News Marine Region News Subscribe Subscribe to CDFW News releases via email or text.* Sign Up *Accredited media representatives should contact an Information Officer to be placed on CDFW's media list. Follow Us Follow on X Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram Search News News Releases, 2022-Present Recreational Crab Traps Restricted in Central Management Area to Protect Whales from Entanglement while Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishing Opportunities Continue May 15, 2026 California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Meghan Hertel has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP) and announced a crab trap restriction in the recreational Dungeness crab fishery. Continue reading... Categories: Dungeness Crab, Fishing, Marine Tagged: crabfishingdungeness crabCalifornia fishingCalifornia Crabcrab season Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishing Opportunities Continue with Alternative ‘Pop-Up’ Gear to Protect Whales from Entanglement March 13, 2026 CDFW Director Meghan Hertel has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program and announced changes to both commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries in Fishing Zones 4 and 5. Continue reading... Categories: Dungeness Crab, Environment, Fisheries Tagged: Dungeness CrabCommercial FishingAlternative Fishing GearPop-Up Fishing Gear Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery to Open in Humboldt County January 23, 2026 The Director has declared that the last closed area of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Humboldt County will open at 12:01 a.m., January 30. Continue reading... Categories: Dungeness Crab, Marine Tagged: Dungeness crabmarinecommercialfishing Recreational Dungeness Crab Fishery to Open in Last Closed Area of Humboldt County After Delay Due to Public Health Risks December 30, 2025 The last area of the recreational Dungeness crab fishery in Humboldt County opened today after being delayed due to elevated levels of domoic acid. Continue reading... Categories: Dungeness Crab, Fisheries, Fishing, Marine Tagged: Dungeness CrabRecreational FisheryHumboldt County Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery to Open January 5 in Central California; Recreational Crab Trap Restrictions Lifting Jan. 2 December 19, 2025 CDFW will open the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in the Central Management Area (Sonoma/Mendocino County line to Point Conception beginning January 5, 2026. Continue reading... Categories: Dungeness Crab, Fisheries, Fishing, Marine Tagged: Dungeness CrabCommercial FishingRecreational Fishing 1234Next