California delays Dungeness crab season to protect humpback whales

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the commercial Dungeness crab season, spanning from the Oregon border to Point Conception, is delayed until at least January 1, 2027. The decision aims to protect migrating humpback whales from entanglement in fishing gear. Preliminary data from the National Marine Fisheries Service indicated 37 whale entanglements off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington in the first nine months of the year, including 30 humpback whales, marking the highest number since 2016.

Recreational Dungeness crab fishing is scheduled to open on November 7, 2026, under specific trap restrictions. However, a portion of Northern California remains closed to recreational take and possession. Due to unhealthy levels of domoic acid, state health agencies have prohibited fishing in waters from Cape Mendocino to the Ten Mile State Marine Reserve, north of Fort Bragg.

Officials will reassess whale risks in mid-December to determine if catch restrictions can be lifted earlier. Recreational fishers are advised to avoid setting gear in areas where whales are present.