California Recreational Dungeness Crab Season Opens November 7: Trap Restrictions in Zones 1 to 5 Until at Least January 1, 2027, Commercial Season Delayed
California — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that the recreational Dungeness crab season opened on November 7 in most areas under trap restrictions, with one stretch of the Northern California coast delayed over a public health hazard.
The department said state health agencies found unhealthy levels of domoic acid in Dungeness crab collected north of Fort Bragg and recommended delaying the opening in state waters from Cape Mendocino to the Ten Mile State Marine Reserve. Director Meghan Hertel delayed the opening in that area, where recreational take or possession of Dungeness crab is prohibited.
The department said the use of recreational crab traps will be restricted from the California and Oregon border to Point Conception, Fishing Zones 1 through 5, until at least January 1, 2027, due to the number of confirmed entanglements this year and the high abundance of humpback whales across the fishing grounds. Hoop nets and crab snares remain allowed.
The department said the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will also be delayed from the Oregon border to Point Conception until at least January 1, 2027. The next risk assessment is anticipated in mid December, when the director will evaluate all available data, including a recommendation from the Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group, to determine when the commercial fishery can open and the recreational trap restrictions can be lifted.
The department said the delay in southern Humboldt County and northern Mendocino County will remain in effect until the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with the State Public Health Officer, determines that domoic acid no longer poses a significant public health risk.
来源链接：加利福尼亚州鱼类与野生动物部10月30日发布（州政府发布系统） https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CNRA/bulletins/4312787
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons 词条主图：Dungeness Crab in Puget Sound
