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17h ago

California Sets Jan. 5 Opening for Central Coast Dungeness Crab With 40% Trap Cut

Northern waters remain on hold pending domoic acid tests.

Crabs rest in a holding tub during an off-the-boat crab sale at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco in January. Dungeness crab season was delayed again this year but will start Jan. 5.
Crabs rest in a bucket during an off-the-boat crab sale at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco in January. The commercial season will start on Jan. 5.
Matt Juanes shows a crab to members of the media before an off-the-boat crab sale at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco in January. Commercial fishing for Dungeness crab will began in time for Lunar New Year celebrations.
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Overview

  • Pre-soak for the Central Management Area begins Jan. 2 at 8:01 a.m. as CDFW moves to limit vertical lines to lower whale entanglement risk.
  • The Northern Management Area is delayed to at least Jan. 15 and would open with a 15% trap reduction following a Jan. 12 pre-soak if testing clears.
  • The delay in the north triggers a 30‑day fair start rule that bars vessels that fished elsewhere from landing crab there immediately after opening.
  • Recreational crab trap restrictions lift Jan. 2 in Zones 1, 3 and 4, with CDFW urging anglers to follow best practices and avoid gear where whales or turtles are present.
  • CDFW cites rising entanglement concerns, including NOAA’s 95 large‑whale entanglements in 2024 and confirmed 2025 humpback cases, and plans a mid‑January risk reassessment.