The commercial Dungeness crab fishery for the majority of the California coast will finally open south of the Sonoma-Mendocino county line on January 5th, according to state officials’ announcement on Friday.
According to the most recent information released by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on Friday, the fishery in Fishing Zones 3-6, which extend south from the Sonoma-Mendocino county boundary to the US-Mexico border, will open on January 5 at 12:01 a.m. On January 2, three days earlier, at 8:01 a.m., a pre-soak for traps will start. There will be a 50% reduction of traps in the selected area.
“Due to the inability to conduct industry-sponsored meat quality testing,” the Dungeness crab season will begin at 12:01 a.m. on January 5 in Fishing Zones 1 and 2, which span from the California-Oregon border to the Sonoma-Mendocino county line. On January 12, three days early, at 8:01 a.m., a pre-soak for traps will start. There will be a 25% reduction of traps in that area.
The recreational crabbing season started on November 2, but because of the “high abundance” of humpback whales in the area that could be threatened by entanglements, trapping was forbidden in Zones 3 and 4, which run from the Sonoma-Mendocino county line to Lopez Point in Monterey County. That restriction will be removed on January 2 at 8:01 a.m.
Traditionally, the Dungeness crab season begins in mid-November, but in recent years, crabbers have been plagued by delays, which has frustrated fishermen who depend on meeting the heightened demand for the crustaceans around the holidays in order to earn a livelihood.
The commercial crab season has been delayed since 2018 due to whale preservation. Crab fisherman are becoming more and more irate over alternate whale-safe fishing techniques to make up for the losses from shorter seasons.
Because of the whale migration, the previous crab season was postponed until January 18 and concluded early on April 8.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.