Overview
- State wildlife officials postponed the commercial season statewide after numerous 2025 whale entanglement reports and observations of humpback, blue and leatherback species in fishing zones.
- Recreational crabbing begins Nov. 1 in most areas, but remains closed from the Oregon border to the Sonoma–Mendocino line due to unhealthy domoic acid levels.
- Health agencies advise against eating crab viscera between the Sonoma–Mendocino line and Point Reyes because of toxin concerns.
- CDFW set temporary gear rules: no recreational crab traps from the Sonoma–Mendocino line to Lopez Point, a fleet advisory to avoid whales, hoop nets must be checked every two hours, and traps are not allowed south of Point Arguello.
- Fishing industry leaders supported the precautionary delay, conservation groups praised the move, and officials said commercially caught crab will not be available for the 2025 holidays.