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California's Crab Opener Saturday Comes With a Trap Ban and a Closure
Recreational Dungeness crabbing opens November 7, but only with hoop nets and snares, and not at all north of Fort Bragg because of domoic acid. The commercial season is delayed until at least January.
California's recreational Dungeness crab season opens Saturday, November 7, but with two big limits, ABC7 reports. Crab traps are not allowed, because of the risk of humpback whales becoming entangled, so crabbers will have to use hoop nets or crab snares. And north of Fort Bragg, where state scientists found unhealthy levels of domoic acid in crab, taking or possessing Dungeness crab is prohibited.
The commercial season is delayed until at least January 1, so local Dungeness crab isn't expected in stores or restaurants for the holidays. Active NorCal reports that three humpback whale entanglements triggered the state's rule, and that hoop-net crabbers must check their nets at least every two hours. The state's next risk assessment is expected in mid-to-late December, when the trap restriction could be lifted or changed.
Before you go, check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's crab page for the current zones and rules, and its domoic acid closure line at 831-649-2883. The daily limit is 10 crab at least five and three-quarter inches across the shell, and you need a fishing license; a crab trap validation only matters once traps are allowed again.
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